Death caused in a tumultuous affray, Revised Penal Code

1. Concept and legal basis

Article 251. Death caused in a tumultuous affray. – When, while several persons, not composing groups organized for the common purpose of assaulting and attacking each other reciprocally, quarrel and assault each other in a confused and tumultuous manner, and in the course of the affray someone is killed, and it cannot be ascertained who actually killed the deceased, but the person or persons who inflicted serious physical injuries can be identified, such person or persons shall be punished by prision mayor.If it cannot be determined who inflicted the serious physical injuries on the deceased, the penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods shall be imposed upon all those who shall have used violence upon the person of the victim. (Act 3815, Revised Penal Code)

2. Elements of the offense

Elements of the offense:

1) That there be several persons;

2) That they did not compose groups organized for the common purpose of assaulting and attacking each other reciprocally;

3) That these several persons quarreled and assaulted one another in a confused and tumultuous manner;

4) That someone was killed in the course of th...