Horrible incident took place 3 years ago and the verdict has been given. U.S. Marine, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, was found guilty for killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude.
The court of appeals made the decision Monday in Manilla, the court upheld the conviction saying Pemberton’s defense was flimsy.
Lance Corporal Pemberton met Jennifer Laude in Olongapo City October 11, of 2014. After meeting at the Ambyanz Disco, the two then checked into a local motel.
After further investigation it was found that Laude performed oral sex on Pemberton. Afterwards Pemberton found that Laude had male genitals, from there bad things happened.
Pemberton stated that Laude slapped him after he pushed her away once spotting male genitalia. Pemberton then choked her and she became unconscious, from there he dragged her to the bathroom hoping to revive her.
This was disputed as it was found Laude was drowned in the shallow water of the toilet, which led to her death.
Pemberton fled the scene, however, a bellboy from the motel recognized and identified Pemberton as Laude’s previous companion that night.
Despite having the argument of self-defense, the U.S. Marine was found guilty of homicide by the lower court and faces up to 10 years in prison. As well as being ordered to pay upwards of $100,000 to Laude’s family.
There was also the Court of Appeals which increased the civil indemnity and moral damages to be paid to the Laude family by Pemberton from $2000.00 to $3000.00.
In a 48 page decision the court stated “We find Pemberton’s defense of an impending grave danger more-so imaginary than real.”
“In the absence of unlawful aggression, even the privileged mitigating circumstance of incomplete self-defense which Pemberton also invokes cannot be appreciated in his favor. Therefore the conviction of Pemberton for homicide is undeniable.”
Tragic event for both parties here, the Laude family lost a daughter, and the Corps lost a Marine.
I ask that you all remain careful and vigilant when approaching someone. In todays day and age it can be rather challenging to truly identify the gender of persons.
Isaac J. Hall II
#SemperKill
U.S.M.C. Infantry Brothers 