Chem 2 5-6PM MWTTH March 12, 2013 “Vizconde Masscare”
I. Fact of the case
On June 30,1991, the Vizconde Family was massacre at their residence in BF Homes , Paraňaque, Metro Manila,Philippines. Estrellita,47 had suffered thirteen stab wounds; Carmela,18, had suffered seventeen stab wounds and had been raped before she was killed; and Jennifer,7, had nineteen stab wounds. Mr. Lauro Vizconde the husband of Estrellita and father of Carmela and Jennifer, was in the United State on business when the murders took place. The case remained unsolved for almost four years until eyewitness, Jessica Alfaro Testified that Hubert Webb is the lead suspect and responsible of the crime committed. Including the defendants; Antonio Lejano II, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada, Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura. The trial began on August 1995 before the Paranaque RTC Judge Amelita Tolentino. The prosecution offered Jesica Alfaro as their witness and she testified all things that she know on how the crime was committed by those enumerated defendants. Other witnesses also testified including Lolita Birrer, Webb family’s maid; Mila Gaviola and Nerissa Rosales, security guard of Sub division (where the Vizconde’s house was located);Justo Cabanacan and Normal White, Carlos V. Cristobal, NBI medico-legal Dr. Propero Cabanayan, Belen Dometita and Teofilo Minoza, two of the Vizconde maids; and Manero Gatmaitan an engineer in favor to the prosecution team. The defense produced document and 95 witnesses, Webb’s alibi that he was in the United States from March 9,1991 to October 26, 1992. Judge Tolentino admitted and 10 of the 142 pieces of evidence presented by the defense. Generally alibi is the weakest defense, especially where there is direct testimony of an eyewitness. The United States Embassy in Manila claiming that