Leo Echegaray
| Leo Echegaray | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Leo Echegaray-Pilo |
| Born |
July 11, 1960 Manila, Philippines |
| Died |
February 5, 1999 (aged 38) New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa, Philippines |
| Nationality |
 Filipino |
Leo Echegaray (11 July 1960 - 5 February 1999) was the first Filipino to be meted the death penalty after its re-insatement in the Philippines in 1993, some 23 years after the last judicial execution was carried out. His death sparked national debate over the legality and morality of the death penalty, which was later suspended on 15 April 2006.
Trial and execution
Echegaray was accused of raping his daughter, Rodessa Echegaray (nicknamed by the press as "Baby Echegaray"), in April 1994. He was convicted by Branch 104 of the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City on 7 September 1994. The death sentence was automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court and was affirmed on 25 June 1996. Echegaray appealed, but the appeal was denied on 19 January 1999.
Less than a month later, Echegaray was executed via lethal injection on 5 February 1999. Witnesses reported his last words to have been:
"Sámbayanáng Pilipino, patawarin ako sa kasalanang ipinaratang ninyo sa akin. Pilipino, pinatáy ng kapwa Pilipino."
("People of the Philippines, absolve me of the sin which you have charged me. A Filipino was killed by fellow Filipino.")
See also
External links
- Enbanc Decision (1996-06-25) People of the Philippines vs. Leo Echegaray (GR 117472) Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved on 22 December 2006.
- Enbanc Decision 1998-10-12) Leo Echegaray vs. Secretary of Justice, et al. (G.R. No. 132601. January 19, 1999) Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved on 22 December 2006.
- Enbanc Resolution (1999-01-19) Leo Echegaray vs. Secretary of Justice, et al.(G.R. No. 132601. January 19, 1999) Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved on 22 December 2006.
- People of the Philippines vs. Leo Echegaray y Pilo (G.R. No. 117472) - text of the Philippine Supreme Court ruling affirming the death penalty
- Leo Echegaray vs. Secretary of Justice, et al. - text of the motion for reconsideration (i.e. the decision on Echegaray's appeal)
- First Philippine execution in 22 years set for January (CNN)
- Death Penalty in the Philippines
- Bitay! Death by Lethal Injection (Solidarity Philippines Australia Network)