4 killers of Kae Davantes get 40 years
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:11:10 +0000
DAVANTES
A Las Piñas court convicted on Friday four men who robbed and mercilessly killed advertising executive Kristelle “Kae” Davantes six years ago.
Presiding Judge Salvador Timbang Jr. of Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 253 sentenced Lloyd Benedict Enriquez, Samuel Decimo, Kelvin Jorek Evangelista and Jomar Pepito to reclusion perpetua after finding them guilty of robbery with homicide.
The four were also ordered to pay the heirs of the victim P50,000 as death indemnity, P50,000 as moral damages and P25,000 for temperate damages.
One of the accused, a certain Baser Manalang, remains at large.
During the promulgation of the case, Davantes’ family members were in tears after hearing the court’s decision six years after the incident happened.
“At least, nakuha namin ang justice,” Pedro Davantes, the father’s victim, told reporters.
“Sabi ko nga, wala naman sa amin ‘yung galit,” he added. “Humingi ako ng clean heart para ‘di ako magtanim ng galit.”
The parents of convicts Evangelista and Enriquez, who were also present, asked for forgiveness from Davantes’ parents in between sobs.
In a 13-page-decision, the court said, “based on what was proved by evidence [their intent] were to rob Kristelle. Their primary action…was to take what they can.”
“[Evangelista] carried a gun, which he pointed at Kristelle Davantes to bring her back to her car,” the court added.
The court said the five men sold the personal property of the victim, which confirmed the intent to gain—an element of robbery.
There was also conspiracy in the incident, the court noted.
In Sept. 2013, Davantes’ case sparked nationwide calls for justice as her friends and supporters described her killing “senseless”.
Sen. Cynthia Villar even filed a resolution No. 255 condemning her “heinous killing.”
Former President Aquino III also offered a P2 million reward for the capture of the suspects.
Davantes was found dead — gagged with a handkerchief, hogtied with her car’s seatbelt and with five stab wounds in her neck — under a bridge in Silang, Cavite, on Sept. 7, 2013.
A knife used to kill her was also recovered in the area.
During interrogation, Decimo admitted that he stabbed the victim. He was the first to be arrested in a hot-pursuit police operation after his relatives tipped him off.
Decimo said that he and his companions only planned to rob that night and had no intention to kill anyone.
Reggie Diel, who was discharged as a state witness, said that Pepito ordered to kill Davantes after the victim saw their faces and their car, according to court records.
Davantes was at the gate of their house at Moonwalk Village in Las Piñas City from a night out with friends when she was held at gunpoint by Evangelista and Manalang.
She was then taken, pinned down and placed at the back seat of her Toyota Altis. Diel, Evangelista, Manalang were also inside her car.
Diel drove to Tagaytay City, while Decimo, Pepito and Enriqueza followed them on b
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