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Question
Facts: The People charge Marco Dela Cruz with murder and robbery following a boutique hijacking at 1:50 a.m. A cigarette butt found near the victim contains a full DNA profile matching Dela Cruz. A bystander testifies she saw a man in a red cap run toward an underpass shortly after the gunfire. Dela Cruz testifies he was at a 24-hour cyber cafe from 12:15 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., supported by time-stamped login records and a staff testimony; the cyber cafe’s security footage is available but shows a blurry figure that cannot clearly identify individuals. The prosecution relies on (i) the DNA match as a direct link to Dela Cruz, (ii) the eyewitness’s account of a fleeing man as direct evidence of involvement, and (iii) the alibi corroborated by the login records. (a) Identify the controlling standard of proof in criminal cases and who bears the burden of proof. (b) Apply the facts to determine whether the prosecution has proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; discuss how each piece of evidence bears on or against reasonable doubt and whether the combination yields a conviction beyond reasonable doubt. (c) If the evidence is challenged as susceptible to reasonable alternatives (e.g., DNA contamination, eyewitness misidentification, alibi doubt), explain what additional showing would be needed for the prosecution to prevail beyond reasonable doubt and what evidence or corroboration would reasonably cure doubt.