Valdez v. People

Summary

This criminal case involved Noel Valdez and Docedec Valdez who were convicted of homicide for causing the death of Arnulfo Valdez Asirot by punching him in the stomach. The Supreme Court denied their petition for review, affirming the Court of Appeals' conviction while modifying the penalty. The Court recognized the mitigating circumstance of praeter intentionem, finding that while petitioners only intended to maltreat the victim through punching, they remained criminally liable for the resulting death. The Court applied the principle that criminal law holds aggressors responsible for all consequences of their unlawful acts. The petitioners were sentenced to an indeterminate penalty and ordered to pay P58,710.30 actual damages, P50,000.00 civil indemnity, and P50,000.00 moral damages with 6% annual interest to the victim's heirs.