Woman languished in prison for over 23 years, only to be later sentenced to 30-day jail term by SC

A woman had stayed at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City for 23 years, only to be later sentenced to a 30-day jail term by the Supreme Court (SC), which ruled that she was not guilty of murder but only for slight physical injuries.

- By JEFFREY DAMICOG

More than 40 years old now, the woman — whose name was not disclosed — was convicted of murder almost 25 years ago by the trial court.

Murder is punishable with reclusion perpetua or a prison term ranging from 20 to 40 years.

On appeal to the Supreme Court (SC), the conviction was reversed, and she was instead meted out a jail term of only 30 days for slight physical injuries, recalled Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez.

The SC decision could not be accessed since the name of the woman and the case number of the appeal were not disclosed.