SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

Search for www.chanrobles.com

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ➔ SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

G.R. No. L-3986November 6, 1907

THE UNITED STATES,Plaintiff-Appellee, vs. AMBROSIO GESMUNDO,Defendant-Appellant.

Felipe Buencamino, for appellant.
Attorney-General Araneta, for appellee.

ARELLANO, C.J.: chanrobles virtual law library

Ambrosio Gesmundo was accused of having caused the death of Castor Esconde in a struggle commenced by the latter. Esconde kicked Gesmundo in the face and afterwards caught the latter by the neck had held him. Gesmundo, while being held as stated and in order to free himself from his assailant, drew a penknife from his pocket and wounded Esconde. Death resulted from the wounds inflicted. The characteristic elements of self-defense are here well defined, and anyone acting under such circumstances is relieved from criminal responsibility. The doctrine already laid down in a similar case is applicable to the present cause. (U.s. vs. Sosa, 4 Phil. Rep., 104.)chanrobles virtual law library

Therefore, in accordance with the motion of the prosecution, Ambrosio Gesmundo is hereby acquitted, and the costs in both instances are declared de oficio. So ordered.chanroblesvirtualawlibrary chanrobles virtual law library

Torres, Mapa, Johnson, Carson, Willard and Tracey, JJ., concur.