Gravity of the wounds

A LAW EACH DAY

- JOSE C. SISON

This is a case of killing a person which is usually committed without any witness. In this case, the seriously wounded victim himself was able to make a statement before he died, in the presence of several persons, including the justice of the peace, regarding the cause of his wound and the one who caused it.

The issue here is whether such statement of witnesses who heard it, which are corroborated by other evidence showing the guilt of the accused, are admissible as evidence. Also resolved here is whether the person who merely wounded the victim is liable for the subsequent death of the victim despite his physical condition, state of health and temperament.

The incident happened one evening in a pueblo when the screams of a person crying out "murder" and calling for help was heard by Rogelio, who is a resident therein. Responding to the cry for help and upon arrival at the place, Rogelio found his neighbor Jessie lying on the ground and telling him that he was wounded by Adel, whom Rogelio really saw at the place of the crime. Jessie then begged Rogelio to take him to the municipal building, which Rogelio did.