US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton admitted that he choked Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude during the continuation of hearing on Monday, August 24.
According to media reports, Pemberton appeared before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 and took the stand as a witness for the defense. He cited self defense for committing the crime.
Pemberton admitted that he choked Laude after learning she was a transgender. He dragged Laude to the bathroom to run water from the shower over her to help her regain consciousness, but there was no water, so he went out of the room.
According to Pemberton’s lawyer, Rowena L. Garcia-Flores, “Pemberton did not kill Laude.” She also said, “He left Laude in the toilet alive.”
The lawyer added that Pemberton was a victim of fraud committed by a sex worker who was older than him.
In February, the RTC Branch 74 entered a not guilty plea for the 20-year-old US soldier after he refused to enter any plea in connection to the killing.
Source(s): New York Times, Manila Bulletin, Phil Star, GMA Network News