Murder charge filed against US Marine in Laude's killing

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 15): Murder charge filed against US Marine in Laude's killing

The prosecutor here on Monday charged U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton with murder in connection with the killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.

City prosecutor Emily delos Santos said the prosecution panel found probable cause in the slaying of Laude whose body was found in a hotel on the night of October 11, this year.

Delos Santos, citing a 23-page resolution, said the prosecution panel found aggravating circumstances that included treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty.

"It's murder," de los Santos told reporters after filing the non-bailable charge against Pemberton before a regional court.

“You can see the kind of cruelty she (victim) endured, the injuries she sustained. We believe we have a strong case,” she said.

Harry Roque, the legal counsel of Laude's family, welcomed the prosecutors' ruling and demanded that Pemberton be placed into a regular jail.

Pemberton is presently detained at a facility jointly managed by the Philippine and US governments in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ general headquarters in Quezon City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=716423