MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court has lowered the maximum jail term of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton from 12 years to 10 years, for the killing of a Filipino transgender, Jennifer Laude, while affirming his conviction.
Olongapo RTC Branch 70 Judge Roline Jinez-Jabalde cited the mitigating circumstances of “passion and obfuscation” and “intoxication” in reducing Pemberton’s prison sentence, in the March 30 ruling.
Harry Roque, legal counsel of the Laude camp, said they are happy with the court’s affirmation of Pemberton’s conviction, but is disappointed with the court’s decision to reduce the US Marine’s sentence.
The court noted that Pemberton was so enraged and in the heat of passion arm-locked and dragged Laude when he discovered that he was a man. Laude had dressed up as a schoolgirl when he approached Pemberton.
It also noted that Pemberton was drunk at the time, which “slowed down his reflexes and mental faculties and resulted to his lack of physical coordination.”
“Having met the requisites, Pemberton should be accorded the benefit of the mitigating circumstance of intoxication,” the court said.
