In the evening of 10 March 1994, along the expressway at Barangay Ventinilla, Sta.

Barbara,
Pangasinan, several persons on board a passenger jeepney driven by Teofilo Landingin attacked
the latter and a passenger, Virgilio Catugas, thereby inflicting upon them multiple stab wounds.
Landingin was pulled out from his seat and dumped on the shoulder of the road. One of the
attackers took the wheel of the jeepney and drove away. Catugas was thrown out to the middle
of the road when the jeepney started to move away. Landingin died as a consequence of the
injuries he sustained. Catugas survived.

Held to account for the above acts were Gregorio Mejia and 8 others.Three separate criminal
complaints for murder,1 frustrated murder,2 and violation of R.A. No. 6539 (Anti Carnapping Act
of 1992, as amended)3 were filed against them with the Municipal Trial Court of Sta. Barbara,
Pangasinan. After appropriate proceedings, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Pangasinan
filed with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Dagupan City three separate informations for murder.

HELD: Accused-appellants Gregorio Mejia, Edwin Benito, Pedro Paraan, and Joseph Fabito are
ACQUITTED on the ground that their guilt therefor has not been proved beyond reasonable
doubt or with moral certainty.