Court Trial Script: Armed Robbery Case
Secretary (Ferrer):
All Rise, This Honorable court of the “Municipal Trial Court, San Mateo, Rizal
is now in session. Honorable Patrick Rodriguez, presiding.
Presiding Judge:
You may be seated, please call the case.
Secretary:
Criminal Case No. 90765, People of the Philippines Vs. Mr. Prince Alteros for
committing armed robbery under Article two hundred ninety-five of the
Revised Penal Code. We are here to hear the case of. Sir Alteros, accused of
armed robbery by the Jewelry Store owner Miss Dela Cruz. on November 3rd
at 8:00 PM, the defendant, Sir Alteros, entered Dela Cruz Jewels, a jewelry
store owned by Miss Dela Cruz. Allegedly he was armed with a firearm,
threatened the staff by firing his gun, stole jewelry and cash, and fled the
scene.
Judge:
Thank you, appearances?
Prosecution (Angel Lacsi):
Atty. Angel Lacsi for the prosecution Your Honor, representing people of the
Philippines.
Defense (Tirso Cagumoc):
Atty. Tirso Cagumoc Your Honor, representing on the behalf of the accused.
Presiding Judge (Rodriguez):
Thank you, the prosecution may now begin its opening statement.
Prosecution Opening Statement
Prosecutor:
Your Honor, the complainant identified the defendant in a police lineup, and
surveillance footage confirms his presence at the scene. We will show that
the defendant was found in possession of the stolen items, and we ask for a
guilty verdict. Thank you.
Judge:
Thank you, Prosecutor. The Defense may now present its opening
statement.
Defense Opening Statement
Defense Attorney:
Your Honor, the defense denies the charges. While Miss Dela Cruz identified
Sir Alteros, we will argue that the identification was made under stress, and
that there is no direct evidence linking the defendant to the robbery. We ask
the court to consider that the evidence is circumstantial and insufficient for
a guilty verdict.
Judge:
Thank you, Defense. The prosecution may now call its first witness.
Prosecution Witness Testimony
Prosecutor:
We call Miss Dela Cruz, the owner of Dela Cruz Jewels, to the stand.
Judge:
Before you begin, Miss Dela Cruz, please take the witness stand and raise
your right hand to be sworn in.
[Miss Dela Cruz raises her right hand.]
Judge:
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help you God?
Miss Dela Cruz (Complainant):
I do, Your Honor.
Prosecutor:
Please state your name for the record.
Miss Dela Cruz:
I am Miss Dela Cruz, the owner of Dela Cruz Jewels.
Prosecutor:
What happened on November 3rd at 8:00 PM?
Miss Dela Cruz:
Sir Alteros entered my store, pulled out a gun, and demanded jewelry and
cash. He took several high-value items including gold necklaces, diamond
rings, and watches. He threatened us and fled the store. I recognized him
immediately—he had been a customer in my store before.
Prosecutor:
How sure are you that it was Sir Alteros?
Miss Dela Cruz:
I am certain. I recognized his face and his voice from previous visits.
Prosecutor:
What actions did you take after the robbery?
Miss Dela Cruz:
I immediately called the police. I provided them with a description of the
suspect, and later, I identified him in a police lineup.
Prosecutor:
Thank you, Miss Dela Cruz. No further questions.
Judge:
Defense, you may cross-examine.
Defense Cross-Examination
Defense Attorney (Defense):
You say you recognized Sir Alteros, but the robbery happened at night, and
he was wearing a cap and jacket. Isn't it possible you made a mistake in
identifying him?
Miss Dela Cruz:
No, I clearly saw his face, and I am confident it was him.
Defense Attorney:
But you were under stress. Could that have affected your ability to identify
him?
Miss Dela Cruz:
No, I’m sure it was him.
Defense Attorney:
No further questions.
Judge:
Thank you, Miss Dela Cruz. You may step down. The prosecution may call its
next witness.
Prosecution Witness Testimony (Officer)
Prosecutor:
We call Officer De Villa, the lead investigator in the case.
Judge:
Officer De Villa, please raise your right hand and take the oath.
[Officer raises right hand.]
Judge:
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help you God?
Officer (Witness 2):
I do, Your Honor.
Prosecutor:
Officer, what did you find after responding to the robbery?
Officer:
After receiving the description from Miss Dela Cruz, we reviewed the store’s
security footage. It showed Sir Alteros entering the store, brandishing a
firearm, and committing the robbery. A few days later, we arrested him.
When we searched his apartment, we found the stolen jewelry and cash, as
well as a firearm matching the description provided by the complainant.
Prosecutor:
Was the stolen property recovered?
Officer:
Yes, The jewelry and cash found in Sir Alteros' apartment matched exactly
the items reported stolen by Miss Dela Cruz.
Prosecutor:
Thank you, Officer. No further questions.
Judge:
Defense, you may cross-examine.
Defense Cross-Examination (Officer)
Defense Attorney (Defense):
Officer, the jewelry and cash were only found after Sir Alteros was arrested,
correct?
Officer:
Yes, It was only after the arrest and a search of his apartment that we
recovered the stolen items.
Defense Attorney:
So, there was no direct evidence linking Sir Alteros to the crime until after
his arrest?
Officer:
That is correct.
Defense Attorney:
No further questions.
Judge:
Thank you, Officer. You may step down. The prosecution may call its next
witness.
Prosecution Witness Testimony (Witness 3: Security Guard)
Prosecutor:
We call Security Guard, Sir Peñaranda, who was on duty the night of the
robbery.
Judge:
Mister Peñaranda, please raise your right hand and take the oath.
[Peñaranda, raises right hand.]
Judge:
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help you God?
Security Guard:
I do, Your Honor.
Prosecutor:
What did you witness on the night of November 3rd?
Security Guard:
I was patrolling the area when I saw Sir Alteros entering the store. He was
wearing a dark jacket and a cap. He looked suspicious, so I tried to observe
him from a distance. Then, I saw him pull out a gun and point it at the staff
inside the store.
Prosecutor:
Could you identify the person you saw that night?
Security Guard:
Yes. That was Sir Alteros.
Prosecutor:
Did you take any action?
Security Guard:
I immediately called the police. I was unable to stop the robbery, but I
provided the police with a description of the suspect.
Prosecutor:
Thank you, Mister Peñaranda. No further questions.
Judge:
Defense, you may cross-examine.
Defense Cross-Examination
Defense Attorney (Defense):
You saw Sir Alteros from a distance, correct? You were not inside the store at
the time?
Security Guard:
That is correct. I was on the outside, observing from the street.
Defense Attorney:
So, your view was obstructed by the building and the windows, making it
difficult to see clearly?
Security Guard:
I disagree. I had a clear view of him entering and exiting the store.
Defense Attorney:
No further questions.
Judge:
Thank you, Mister Peñaranda. You may step down. The prosecution may call
its final witness.
Prosecution Witness Testimony (Witness 4: Forensic Expert)
Prosecutor:
We call Dr. Pajarito, the forensic expert who examined the recovered
firearm.
Judge:
Dr. Pajarito, please raise your right hand and take the oath.
[Expert raises right hand.]
Judge:
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help you God?
Doctor Pajarito (Witness 4):
I do, Your Honor.
Prosecutor:
Dr. Pajarito what did you find during your examination of the firearm?
Dr.Pajarito:
The firearm recovered from Sir Alteros' apartment matches the description
of the weapon used during the robbery. We found traces of gunpowder
residue on the barrel, indicating it was recently fired.
Prosecutor:
Is it your professional opinion that this firearm could have been used in the
robbery?
Dr.Pajarito]:
Yes. Based on the condition and the residue found, I can confirm this
weapon was used in the robbery.
Prosecutor:
Thank you, Dr. Pajarito. No further questions.
Judge:
Defense, you may cross-examine.
Defense Cross-Examination (Forensic Expert)
Defense Attorney (Defense):
Dr. Pajarito, the gunpowder residue you found on the firearm could be from
any number of incidents, not necessarily this robbery, correct?
Dr. Pajarito:
It is possible, but the fact that the residue was fresh and consistent with
recent use makes it highly probable that the firearm was involved in the
robbery.
Defense Attorney:
But you cannot be 100% certain that this was the specific weapon used in
this robbery?
Dr. Pajarito:
That’s correct, While the weapon is highly consistent with the description
provided by witnesses, there is no direct forensic link proving it was the
weapon used in the crime.
Defense Attorney:
Thank you. No further questions.
Judge:
Thank you, Dr. Pajarito. You may step down. The prosecution has now
presented its evidence. The defense may present its case.
Defense Presentation
Defense Attorney:
Your Honor, we call Sir Alteros, the defendant, to the stand.
Judge:
Sir Alteros, please raise your right hand to be sworn in.
[Defendant raises right hand.]
Judge:
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so
help you God?
Sir Alteros (Defendant):
I do, Your Honor.
Defendant Testimony
Defense Attorney:
Sir Alteros, where were you on the evening of November 3rd?
Sir Alteros:
I was at home, watching television. I did not leave the house that night.
Defense Attorney:
Do you know Miss Dela Cruz, the owner of Dela Cruz Jewels?
Sir Alteros:
Yes. I have been to her store on a few occasions as a customer, but I have
never robbed her or anyone else.
Defense Attorney:
You were arrested and the police found stolen property in your apartment.
What do you say about that?
Sir Alteros:
The police planted those items. I did not commit any robbery. I have no idea
how the jewelry got into my apartment.
Defense Attorney:
No further questions.
Judge:
Prosecution, you may cross-examine.
Prosecution Cross-Examination (Defendant)
Prosecutor:
Sir Alteros, you claim you were home that night, but why didn’t you mention
an alibi when you were first questioned by the police?
Sir Alteros:
I didn’t know I was being investigated for the robbery. I had no reason to
mention an alibi.
Prosecutor:
Yet, when the police found stolen items in your apartment, you didn’t
explain their presence.
Sir Alteros:
I don’t know how they got there.
Prosecutor:
Isn’t it true that you have a prior history of theft and criminal activity?
Sir Alteros:
Yes, but I’ve changed. I’m not a criminal anymore.
Prosecutor:
So, the evidence found at your apartment and the eyewitness testimony are
all wrong?
Sir Alteros:
I didn’t commit the crime.
Prosecutor:
No further questions.
Closing Arguments
Prosecutor:
Your Honor, the evidence is clear. We have Miss Dela Cruz’s testimony,
which firmly identifies the defendant as the robber. The surveillance
footage, the stolen property found in his apartment, and the forensic
analysis of the firearm all point to his guilt. We ask that the court find Sir
Alteros guilty of armed robbery.
Defense Attorney:
Your Honor, the prosecution’s case is based on circumstantial evidence.
There is no direct proof linking Sir Alteros to the robbery. The eyewitness
identification is flawed, and the forensic evidence does not conclusively
prove that the weapon was used in the robbery. We ask the court to find the
defendant not guilty.
Judge’s Verdict
(All 5 judges decided and all agreed)
Judge:
After carefully considering all the evidence presented, this court finds that
the prosecution has met the burden of proof. The testimonies of the
complainant, the security guard, and the forensic expert, combined with the
recovery of the stolen property, lead this court to conclude that Sir Alteros is
guilty of armed robbery.
Therefore, the court finds the defendant guilty as charged. Sentencing will
follow.
Court is adjourned.
[Viewers Clap]
