Man gets four years for stabbing his wife

CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Trial Court has sentenced a man to four years and two months imprisonment after he was found guilty of attempted parricide for stabbing his wife two years ago.

RTC Branch 16 judge Sylvia Paderanga convicted Jesus M. Atamosa of the charge based on the evidences and statements of the lone witness and the victim herself, Corazon Atamosa.

"This court finds that the prosecution has sufficiently established the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, hence his conviction of the crime of attempted par-ricide is warranted," Paderanga said in her decision.

The accused entered a "not guilty" plea on the charge against him during his arraignment on October 7, 2008.

Corazon narrated that on September 12, 2008, at around 11 p.m., she was in their house in Labangon, Cebu City, when her husband came home under the influence of liquor. She added that her husband was very noisy and threatening her and challenging other persons to a fight.

She said her husband wanted to open the door of their house to know who was with her. She replied she was with their children but he allegedly got angry and forcibly opened the door.

"My husband forcibly opened the door, when he was able to open it, he then grabbed my hair which prompted me to ask for help," Corazon said in her affidavit.

Moments later, her son arrived home from driving a trisikad and separated them. Subsequently the accused went out of the house but came back later with a knife and stabbed Corazon, prompting her to jump out of the window.

However, her husband followed her and tried to stab her again but their son prevented him.

The police then arrived and arrested Jesus, who attempted but failed to escape. (FREEMAN)