Practice question
The accused and victim were previously friendly, but reliable evidence proves the accused’s deliberate charged act and identity beyond reasonable doubt. The offense has no separate personal-motive element. The defense treats prior friendship as a categorical legal bar to conviction. Which is correct?
- Friends can never commit crimes against each other
- Prior friendship is relevant context but not an automatic negation of proved criminal intent and participation
- Prior friendship repeals the offense
- The prosecutor must invent hatred as an additional element
- Every friendly relationship supplies immunity
Legal references
- People v. Ballesteros, GR120921, January29 1998, main decision, intent and motive: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1998/jan1998/gr_120921_1998.html
- Revised Penal Code, Articles3-4 and49, as applicable: https://lawphil.net/statutes/acts/act1930/act_3815_1930.html
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