US marine convicted of homicide in Philippines
A US marine has been convicted of homicide in the killing of a transgender woman in the Philippines.
Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who had been charged with murder for the killing of Jennifer Laude in a motel in October 2014, was convicted of a lesser offense of homicide and sentenced to six to 12 years in jail on Tuesday.
Judge Roline Jinez Jabalde cited mitigating circumstances for reducing the marine’s charge. He said that the victim had not revealed her gender identity to the marine, whom she had met in a nightclub in Olongapo City.
The judge ruled that the marine would be held temporarily at the national penitentiary until the two countries decide where he should serve his sentence.
Attorneys for the victim’s family, however, questioned the sentence. Lawyer Harry Roque expressed outrage that the sentence was reduced on those grounds.
"We are very angry that the court considered these mitigating circumstances," he said.
"This is a sad day for the Philippines. It shows the US gets what it wants," said lawyer Harry Roque.
The United States and the Philippines inked an agreement in April 2014 to expand military cooperation, including stationing American military ships, planes and troops in the country on a rotating basis.
The deal, dubbed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, however, is pending because its constitutionality is considered by the Philippine Supreme Court. The court is expected to rule on the matter in December.
The case of the marine also stirred debate over the presence of US soldiers in the country. The servicemen are not wanted on the Philippine soil, because of social issues, such as crimes they committing against the local people.
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