The US marine accused of murdering a transgender after discovering her true sexuality in the Philippines previous year has admitted to choking her, but denied murdering her, his lawyer said. Pemberton has been charged with murder and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. The trial is off-limits to the press and court officials do not comment on details of the trial.
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The Marine said he brought Jennifer’s body to the bathroom to try to wake her up from her unconscious state. It was U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton’s turn to tell his tale.
Roque said Pemberton told the court Laude was performing oral sex on him when he suddenly felt a penis when he put his hand between Laude’s legs.
Pemberton told the court that on that day, his unit was on rest and recreation in Subic after a tour of duty.
Pemberton, who was 22 at the time, said Laude, 26, slapped him and caused him to respond “in defense”, Flores said. He added that Pemberton had taken eight shots of alcohol and six bottles of beer before he and his friends went barhopping, met two women at the Ambyanz bar and proceeded to the Celzone Lodge in Olongapo City on October 11, 2014. He then left the room. Harry Roque, Pemberton admitted to some important facts.
Pemberton told that he pushed away Laude, but the latter retaliated by slapping him.
But Pemberton, who disclosed the circumstances that led to his killing of Laude, said that it was “in self defense”, Roque said.
Media men are not allowed to enter the court room where Pemberton’s trial is being held, forcing them to rely on updates from those who are not barred from attending.
The US serviceman was also described to have never been involved in a physical fight until the night with Laude.
A Filipino investigator had testified final Might that the sufferer died on account of strangulation and asphyxia by drowning.
Government prosecutors did not immediately respond to AFP’s requests for comment.
Earlier, they said Pemberton and Laude had left a bar in the northern port of Olongapo City and checked in at a nearby motel, where they alleged the American strangled the victim.
The defense began presenting its case last week by calling as its first witness Lisa Pemberton, the 44-year-old nurse and mother of the defendant.
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The judicial proceedings will proceed till December.
