Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
G.R. No. L-3986 November 6, 1907
THE UNITED STATES, plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
AMBROSIO GESMUNDO, defendant-appellant.
Felipe Buencamino, for appellant.
Attorney-General Araneta, for appellee.
ARELLANO, C.J.:
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.)lawphil.net
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.
Torres, Mapa, Johnson, Carson, Willard and Tracey, JJ., concur.