Article 19 Flashcards
Define accessories as provided under Article 19 of the RPC
Those who, having knowledge of the commission of the crime, and without having participated therein, either as principals or accomplices, take part subsequent to its commssion in three ways:
1. By profiting from the effects of the crime
2. By concealing the body, effects, or instruments of the crime in order to PREVENT ITS DISCOVERY;
3. By assisting in the escape or concealment of the principal of the crime
Requisites for one to become an accessory (2)
- KNOWLEDGE of the commission of the crime
- Took part SUBSEQUENT to the commission of the crime
When may knowledge be acquired to still be considered an accessory?
It may still be acquired subsequent to the commission of the crime
How can knowledge of the crime be established?
It may be established by circumstancial evidence
How should the crime committed by the principal be proved?
It must be proven beyond resonable doubt
Can those who participated either as a principal or as an accomplice be considered as an accessory?
No, one can only be an accessory if that person did not participate as a principal or as an accessory
What are the specific acts of accessories as contemplated in Article 19 of the RPC (3)
- By PROFITING themselves or assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the crime
- By CONCEALING or DESTROYING the body of the crime to PREVENT ITS DISCOVERY
- By HARBORING, CONCEALING, or ASSISTING in the ESCAPE of the principal of the crime
How may an accessory fall under par.1 of Art. 19 of the RPC (Profiting) (2)
- By profiting themselves by the effects of the crime
- By assisting the offender to profit by the effects of the crime
Can light felony fall under par. 1 of Art. 19 of the RPC? (Profiting)
No, it can be any crime, provided it is not a light felony
Can the accessory take the property without the consent of the principal?
No, otherwise that person will become a principal in the crime of theft
When is profiting by the effects of the crime punished as the act of principal, and not the act of accessory?
When a person knowingly acquired or received property taken by the brigands (Art. 307, RPC)
In kidnapping for ransom, are those who acted as runners or couriers in obtaining the ransom money considered to be accessories?
Yes
Should an accessory be in conspiracy with the principal?
No, otherwise that person will become a co-conspirator
Can light felony fall under par. 2 of Art. 19 of the RPC? (Concealing or destroying the body of the crime)
No, it can be any crime, provided it is not a light felony
English for Corpus Delicti (Latin)
Body of the crime
Does furnishing the means to make it appear that the deceased was armed, by placing a weapon in his hand when already dead, and that it was necessary to kill him on account of his resistance fall under par. 2 of Art. 19 of the RPC?
Yes, it counts as “destroying the body of the crime”
Does the mere act of CARRYING the cadaver of one unlawfully killed, when it was buried to prevent the discovery of the crime make one an accessory under par. 2 of Art. 19 of the RPC?
Yes, it is sufficient to make him responsible as an accessory under said paragraph
The indispensible requirement under par.2 of Art. 19 of the RPC regarding concealing or destroying the body of the crime or the effects or instruments of the crime
It must be done in order to PREVENT THE DISCOVERY OF THE CRIME
Does bringing in the body to the foot of the stairs of the house and leaving said body for anyone to see count as an attempt to conceal or destroy the body of the crime?
No, it must be done to prevent discovery of the crime