Trial begins in Philippines of US Marine charged with murder

[webfact]

Trial begins in Philippines of US Marine charged with murder
By JIM GOMEZ

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A U.S. Marine charged with murdering a transgender Filipino after allegedly discovering her gender when they checked into a hotel went on trial in a Philippine court Monday.

U.S. security escorts brought Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, wearing handcuffs, into a heavily secured courtroom in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila, for the trial after an earlier plea-bargain negotiation with the family of the victim, Jennifer Laude, reportedly collapsed, lawyers for Laude's family said.

Pemberton is charged with murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. The court registered a not guilty plea for him last month after he refused to enter a plea.

Government prosecutors expressed confidence they could win a conviction.

"We will prove the elements of murder," state prosecutor Emilie de los Santos told reporters, referring to what she has described as "treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty" in the attack on the victim, who was formerly known as Jeffrey Laude.

Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford, Massachusetts, is accused of strangling Laude and then drowning her in a hotel toilet last October after discovering she was a transgender woman. Prosecutors say they checked into the hotel after meeting in a bar in a red-light district.

Pemberton was bar-hopping with fellow Marines at the time after participating in joint U.S.-Philippine military exercises.

Government prosecutors presented their first witness, hotel worker Elias Gallamos, who identified Pemberton as the man who was with Laude shortly before she was found dead, according to Ethel Avisado, a lawyer for Laude's family.

The case reignited a debate over custody of American military personnel accused of crimes in the Philippines. The dispute was eased after Washington agreed to move Pemberton from a U.S. warship to the Philippine military's main camp in metropolitan Manila, where he is held under American custody but with an outer ring of Filipino guards.

Weeks before the trial, there was talk that the two sides were quietly discussing a possible plea-bargain agreement in which Pemberton would reportedly plead guilty to a lower charge in exchange for money for the Laude family. Both sides on Monday denied initiating the talks.

Laude's mother, Julita, told reporters she would not drop the case against Pemberton even if she was offered a million dollars.

"What they did to my child was gruesome," she said. "Just because we are poor doesn't mean we can't fight for justice."

The case occurred at a time when the Philippines and the United States have strengthened their military ties with the recent signing of a defense accord that allows greater U.S. access to Philippine military camps.

The accord will help Washington's bid to reassert its presence in Asia, and enable Manila to deter what it calls aggressive moves by China to push claims to disputed South China Sea territories.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-24

[ALFREDO]

Seems,

they teach the Marines not all the necassary wisdom when they let them travel to other countries.

[Commerce]

Seems,

they teach the Marines not all the necassary wisdom when they let them travel to other countries.

Depends upon how old he is, surely? First visit, fell for a kaoteoy, easily done... not that I have. Marine handbook for encountering a flip-flop should include recce all vital areas with a hand before making any choice .

[RT555]

If somebody pulled a weapon on me I'd go BAZERKOOOO....too

Edited March 24, 2015 by RT555

[bangon04]

""What they did to my child was gruesome," she said. "Just because we are poor doesn't mean we can't fight for justice."

Hands up who believes the US will allow "justice" if the US marine is found guilty.........

[sgtsabai]

If you think the US will not give up the Marine for the Philippine agreements to stop the aggression of China you are wrong. Remember he is a lowly Pfc, E2, an officer would be different. The days are well past when the US "protected" its own. I'd say, a sentence to a Philippine prison would be a death sentence for him so I would not discount the possibility of a "plea bargain" still. From what I've read, it appears he is guilty. BTW, under the "new" military rules, even if he is somehow freed by plea agreement he will face courts martial for being with a prostitute. Stupid do-gooders got to the military also. A far cry from the Marine Corps I was in. And this whole incident sure makes me have 2nd thoughts about returning to Subic, which I liked. I thought one way or the other the Navy/Marines on liberty there would screw it up.

[Daniel Ingalls]

I've been to subic bay, and walked many times over the bridge into Olongopo, sometimes there was a toll for 25 cents to enter the city.

In the city, it was a wild town, Every twenty steps someone wanted to spend the night with you. Or someone had a watch or a pair of shoes to sell you.

I was there for three days back in 1985. while stationed in Camp Zama, Japan. .....Anyway, the Marine probably paid the girl maybe $10. And then found out she wasn't what he expected. In a bit of rage, he killed her........................Guilty as charged!.....and for what $10. and a little embarrassment?

[Seastallion]

""What they did to my child was gruesome," she said. "Just because we are poor doesn't mean we can't fight for justice."

Hands up who believes the US will allow "justice" if the US marine is found guilty.........

It's bad enough that he's not under civil jurisdiction!

I picked up on the quote you provided when I read the report...."they". Was there more than one marine?

[ravip]

Weeks before the trial, there was talk that the two sides were quietly discussing a possible plea-bargain agreement in which Pemberton would reportedly plead guilty to a lower charge in exchange for money for the Laude family. Both sides on Monday denied initiating the talks.

Money, money, money!

Lowering charges for money in this instance is justified?

If proven guilty, the murderer should get the maximum punishment possible.

RIP the poor victim.

[slipperylobster]

Seems,

they teach the Marines not all the necassary wisdom when they let them travel to other countries.

Not.

The marines teach the highest of values.

but as, in anything, anywhere, there is always the bad.

some times you cannot throw out the babies with the bath water.

[copa8]

If you think the US will not give up the Marine for the Philippine agreements to stop the aggression of China you are wrong. Remember he is a lowly Pfc, E2, an officer would be different. The days are well past when the US "protected" its own. I'd say, a sentence to a Philippine prison would be a death sentence for him so I would not discount the possibility of a "plea bargain" still. From what I've read, it appears he is guilty. BTW, under the "new" military rules, even if he is somehow freed by plea agreement he will face courts martial for being with a prostitute. Stupid do-gooders got to the military also. A far cry from the Marine Corps I was in. And this whole incident sure makes me have 2nd thoughts about returning to Subic, which I liked. I thought one way or the other the Navy/Marines on liberty there would screw it up.

Looks like more Filipinos have actually died in the hands of US troops than Chinese ones.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Oh I love it when all the veteran members here who poop their knickers from laughter when they see a story where a guy mistakes a transgender for the real McCoy. With modern day total sex change surgery and hormone therapy, you'd be fooled too. whether in a dimmed light situation, as in a bar or disco, or a well lite situation like a sunny day beachside. The stupid mistake was to let your anger and pride rob you of your freedom.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

In Philippines, Thailand or wherever avoid incarceration and "dying stupid"