This is another specific example of unreasonable delay in the disposition of criminal cases covering a period of 9 years and 2 months and 5 days from the time that the accused Cristina Samson was arrested by the police authorities on June 27, 2006 for alleged crime of “Parricide” until she was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court per its decision dated September 2, 2015.
Case Of Alleged Parricide
Cristina Samson was arrested for the alleged “Parricide” of her husband by the police authorities on June 27, 2006 and was subsequently charged in an Information for the crime of “Parricide” under Article 246 of the Revised Penal Code.
When arraigned the accused has entered a plea of not guilty to the charged against her.
After the trial, the Regional Trial Court of Tarlac City, Branch 65 has rendered a decision dated September 27, 2012 convicting the accused for the crime of “Parricide” and imposing upon her the penalty of reclusion perpetua (20 years and 1 day to 40 years imprisonment) plus damages.
She appeal her conviction before the Court of Appeal, contending among other things that the Regional Trial Court of Tarlac City Branch 65 erred in convicting her since according to the accused the prosecution has failed to establish her guilt beyond reasonable doubt and for not appreciating the justifying circumstances of self-defense.
The Court of Appeal however has sustained the judgment of conviction of the Regional Trial Court Tarlac City Branch 65 in its entirety per its decision dated May 6, 2014.
Thus, she brings the ruling of the Court of Appeal before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on September 2, 2015, has reverse and set aside the judgment of conviction of the Court of Appeal and acquitted the accused for the crime of “Parricide” defined and penalized under Article 246 of the Revised Penal Code.
Unreasonable Delay In The Resolution Of Criminal Case
It took almost 6 years and 3 months from the time that the accused was arrested on June 27, 2006 until the Regional Trial Court of Tarlac City Branch 65 has rendered a decision dated September 27, 2012.
On appeal from the decision of the Regional Trial Court Tarlac City Branch 65 to the Court of Appeal, it took almost 1 year and 7 months and 7 days before the Court of Appeal has ruled on her appeal on May 6, 2014.
From the ruling of the Court of Appeal up to the elevation of the case to the Supreme Court, it took almost 1 year and 3 months and 27 days before the latter court has finally rendered a favorable judgment of acquittal to the accused.
In truth this is another case of justice delayed is justice denied situation under the Philippine laws and jurisprudence.
I wonder how many more persons are languishing in jail until their criminal cases are finally resolved by the Supreme Court.
Case reference: People of the Philippines vs. Cristina Samson G.R. No. 214883 http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2015/september2015/214883.pdf
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