People of the Philippines vs. Wilfredo Solano, Jr.
y Gecita
G.R. No. 199871
June 2, 2014
Ponente: Del Castillo, J.
Facts:
Wilfredo Solano was charged with the crime of rape with homicide. During arraignment, he pleaded not guilty. After
trial on the merits, the Regional Trial Court found him guilty as charged based on the following circumstantial evidence:
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He was seen chasing the victim at the approximate time of the perpetration of the crime and at the hilly and
grassy place where the victim was found;
The uncontroverted fact that he was seen dragging the motionless victim by another prosecution witness near
the same place where he was also seen chasing the victim;
There was no other person last seen together with the victim;
The uncontroverted testimony of some of the prosecution witnesses regarding the extrajudicial confession
made by him admitting raping and killing the victim;
The finding of the examining physician who conducted the autopsy that the victim was subjected to sexual
intercourse as manifested by lacerations and blood found in her genitalia;
The fact that the body of the victim was seen in the very near the area where he was seen chasing the victim
and likewise very near the place where he was likewise seen dragging the victim;
He admitted being angry at the family of the victim after learning that his sister was raped by a relative of the
victim.
The Court of Appeals affirmed in full the trial courts decision. Hence, this appeal.
Issue:
Whether or not the pieces of circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution sufficient to prove Solanos guilt
beyond reasonable doubt.
Held:
Yes, the pieces of circumstantial evidence presented are sufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt meriting
conviction.
Circumstantial evidence is sufficient for conviction if:
(a) There is more than one circumstance;
(b) The facts which the inferences are derived are proven; and
(c) The combination of all the circumstances is such as to produce a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
In this case, it is beyond doubt that all the circumstances taken together point to the singular conclusion that Solano,
to the exclusion of the others, committed the crime.
