A Philippines appeals court on Monday affirmed a regional trial court’s conviction of a U.S. Marine and his sentence of up to 10 years in jail for killing a transgender Filipino, whose heirs he was also ordered to compensate.
(FOX)- The Court of Appeals decision seen Monday did not accept Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton’s claim of self-defense in killing Jennifer Laude inside a motel room in northwestern Olongapo city after they met in a disco bar in October 2014.
The killing sparked anger in the Philippines and reignited calls by left-wing groups and nationalists for an end to U.S. military presence in the country.
Pemberton had claimed Laude molested him in the motel room by pretending to be a woman and he had to defend his dignity, but that he had no intention to kill her. He said Laude slapped him when he confronted her for pretending to be a woman.
But the decision penned by Associate Justice Marlene Gonzales-Sison said physical evidence contradicts Pemberton’s claim.
“As proven by the prosecution, Pemberton did not leave Laude merely unconscious, but ensured his death by submerging his head inside the toilet bowl,” it said. “Clearly, Pemberton intended the natural consequence of his wrongful act.”