On Tuesday, December 1, a Philippine court found U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton guilty of killing Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman. It is reported the event took place last year and Pemberton left her for dead in a hotel room.
Pemberton is facing a minimum sentence of six years and a maximum of 12 years in prison. The reason for the low penalty is that the U.S. marine was charged with and convicted of homicide, which does not require spiteful intent.
Besides being imprisoned, Pemberton is to pay over 4.5 million pesos ($95,350) to the family of the transgender woman. Jennifer Laude’s family and the nation of the Philippines are not satisfied with the penalty of the U.S. marine. “This is not quite a victory. We expected a murder conviction but instead got homicide,” Laude’s sister, Malou, said. “We are not contented with the decision.”
“Justice for Jennifer Laude,” “Justice for the Filipino people,” and “Jail Pemberton in the Philippines,” were just some of the messages carried by protesters in front of the Hall of Justice.
“This is a sad day for the Philippines,” lawyer Harry Roque said. “It shows the U.S. gets what it wants.”
Pemberton admitted in court that he choked but didn’t kill Laude. The U.S. marine described his actions as self-defense, noticing that a man and not a woman was performing oral sex on him.
The case has caused debate over the American military presence in the Philippines. Two decades ago senators voted on kicking the U.D. bases out of because of social issues, just like this one, crimes committed by servicemen.
Image via Flickr/jmiller291
