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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Court finds former guv guilty of homicide
MANILA (Updated 9:33 a.m.) -- A Manila court found former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste guilty of homicide in the death of his long-time aide Rafael delas Alas in 2007.
Makati Judge Elmo Alameda sentenced Leviste to six to 12 years imprisonment after the former governor failed to present a witness that will support his claim of self-defense.
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Alameda also ordered Leviste to pay the delas Alas family P100,000 in moral and civil damages. The court also denied Leviste’s plea for bail; he will be detained at the Makati City Jail pending the appeal of his case before the Court of Appeals.
Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, who handled the case, said his team will insist on the original charge of murder against Leviste once the former governor appeals his case.
The court, in convicting Leviste, gave weight to his failing to produce a witness that will support his claim of self-defense. The court also considered the evidence gathered by Scene of the Crime Operatives showing delas Alas was shot in close range and the weapon recovered from the victim was found with its safety lever on, which means the victim had no plan to harm Leviste.
The court, however, considered as mitigating circumstance in its ruling the former governor’s surrender to authorities.(Justine Paredes/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (January 14, 2009 issue)
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