Decision to appear before court is Pemberton's call: US Embassy

From InterAksyon (Oct 19): Decision to appear before court is Pemberton's call: US Embassy

While emphasizing it will do everything to cooperate with the Philippine government on all aspects of the case concerning the death of a Filipino transgender, the United States Embassy in Manila said on Sunday that it is the decision of the suspect US Marine on whether to appear in court on Tuesday.

"Whether the suspect will appear on Tuesday is a decision that he will make in consultation with his Philippine legal counsel, in accordance with Philippine law. We refer you to his counsel for details," the embassy said in a statement.

Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude was strangled to death allegedly by Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton of the US Marine Corps last Oct. 11, a day after the conclusion of the Amphibious Landing Exercise 15 which started on Sept. 29.

Last week, Olongapo City prosecutors met with four witnesses and swore them to their statements in accordance with Philippine law, satisfying the requirements of the City Prosecutor and the "make available" language of the US–Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement.

"The witnesses will not appear on Tuesday, as they have already met their current legal obligations. In accordance with the VFA, the witnesses will be made available for the trial," the US Embassy said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/97522/decision-to-appear-before-court-is-pembertons-call-us-embassy