It held that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt accusedappellants' complicity to the crimes charged, as they were positively identified by AAA who had an unobstructed view of their appearance when said crimes were being committed. It likewise found the existence of conspiracy in the commission of said crimes, considering that accused-appellants: (a) cooperated in stabbing and mauling BBB, resulting in her death; and (b) took turns in having carnal knowledge of AAA without her consent, while the other restrained her arms to prevent her from resisting.[21] Hence, the instant appeal. The Issue Before the Court The core issue for the Court's resolution is whether or not accused-appellants are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the aforesaid crimes. The Court's Ruling At the outset, the Court notes that during the pendency of the instant appeal, Alejandro filed a Motion to Withdraw Appeal[22] dated January 19, 2017, stating that despite knowing the full consequences of the filing of said motion, he still desires to have his appeal withdrawn. In view thereof, the Court hereby grants said motion, and accordingly, deems the case closed and terminated as to him. Thus, what is left before the Court is the resolution of Angeles's appeal. In criminal cases, "an appeal throws the entire case wide open for review and the reviewing tribunal can correct errors, though unassigned in the appealed judgment, or even reverse the trial court's decision based on grounds other than those that the parties raised as errors. The appeal confers the appellate court full jurisdiction over the case and renders such court competent to examine records, revise the judgment appealed from, increase the penalty, and cite the proper provision of the penal law."[23] Proceeding from the foregoing, the Court deems it proper to modify accusedappellants' convictions, as will be explained hereunder. Article 249 of the RPC states: Article 249. Homicide. - Any person who, not falling within the provisions of Article 246, shall kill another without the attendance of any of the circumstances enumerated in the next preceeding article, shall be deemed guilty of homicide and punished by reclusion temporal. "To successfully prosecute the crime of homicide, the following elements must be proved beyond reasonable doubt: (1) that a person was killed; (2) that the accused