US marine jailed for killing transgender woman in Philippines

A US Marine has been convicted of killing a transgender woman in a hotel in the Philippines.

US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton enters court in Olongapo City. Picture: AFP/Getty

Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide by first strangling Jennifer Laude and then dunking her head into a toilet bowl in the hotel they had checked into after meeting in a disco bar in Olongapo city, north west of Manila.

He was sentenced to six to 12 years in jail, with time spent in detention credited, said court clerk Gerry Gruspe.

Ms Laude’s mother, Julita, said that while she was happy the verdict detailed everything that had transpired, she was not pleased with the jail term because she had hoped Pemberton would be found guilty of murder, a graver crime.

“But the important thing is he will be jailed,” she said. “My son’s life is not wasted.”

Outside the court, a small number of left-wing activists rejoiced but warned that they would closely watch to ensure Pemberton is detained in a Philippine jail, as the judge ordered.

The 11 October 2014 killing had sparked anger in the Philippines and reignited calls by left-wing groups and nationalists for an end to America’s military presence in the country at a time when the US is reasserting its dominance in Asia and Manila has turned to Washington for support amid an escalating territorial dispute with China.

Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from Massachusetts, was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in a joint exercise last year.

He and a group of other Marines were on leave after the exercise and met Ms Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo, a city known for its nightlife located outside Subic Bay, a former US Naval base. At least two witnesses gave evidence that Ms Laude was a sex worker.

Pemberton and Ms Laude left the bar and checked in together at a nearby hotel. About 30 minutes later, Pemberton walked out, leaving the room’s door ajar, according to hotel staff.

Pemberton told the court in August that he choked Ms Laude during a fight that erupted when he discovered she was a transgender woman, but said she was still alive when he left her in a shower, according to his lawyer, Rowena Garcia Flores.

Lawyers of the Laude family, however, said Ms Laude was dead when Pemberton left her. Police have said she had apparently been drowned in a toilet.

Regional Trial Court Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde ordered Pemberton to be jailed at the New Bilibid Prison, in suburban Muntinlupa City.