Philippine court upholds US marine’s murder conviction

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) –

The Philippine Court of Appeals has upheld a guilty verdict against a U.S. Marine for killing a Filipino transgender woman in October 2014, according to a decision released Sunday.

It also ordered Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton to pay Jennifer Laude’s heirs for loss of earnings totaling PHP4.32 million ($84,000) and other expenses, including Laude's autopsy, wake and burial costs.

The court dismissed a motion for reconsideration filed by Pemberton and instead affirmed a lower court’s decision last April that found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt of homicide and jailed him for between six and 10 years.

Pemberton insisted that he did not kill Laude and claimed self-defense.

Laude, 26, was last seen with Pemberton and another friend entering a lodge room in Olongapo City in October 2014 after having drinks at a nearby bar where they met. Laude’s friend later left the two alone.

Reports state that Pemberton and Laude agreed to have intercourse but the American went berserk after finding out she was not biologically female. Laude was later found dead with her head in a toilet bowl. An autopsy report revealed Laude died due to asphyxia by drowning and strangulation.

The court also raised Pemberton’s immediate escape as an indication of guilt.

"The bits of evidence, pieced together, point to Pemberton as the killer of Laude. Pemberton's criminal liability for homicide stands," the court concluded.