‘Not Guilty’ Plea for Pemberton in Laude Murder Case

The Regional Trial Court Branch 74 of Olongapo City on Monday has entered a not guilty plea against US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton after the suspect refused to enter any plea in the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.

GMA NEws Online reported that Pemberton arrived at the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court at about 4:30 am to attend his scheduled 9 am arraignment. The US Marine was escorted by American officials, report said.

It added that Pemberton left Olongapo Hall of Justice shortly after his arraignment and headed back to his detention inside Camp Aguinaldo. After the arraignment, marking of evidence followed, said Atty. Virgie Suarez, Laude’s legal counsel. The lawyer added that Pemberton was in handcuffs all throughout the proceedings, except when he signed some documents.

Lawyer Harry Roque, another legal counsel for the Laude family, said the pre-trial will start on Friday, Feb. 27, adding that this is the start of the formal process of the court. The witnesses should be identified during the pre-trial.

Suarez said Pemberton may not be present on Friday since he gave a special power of attorney to his legal counsels to represent him,report said.

The murder case’s marathon trial will start on the third week of March (March 16) every Monday and Tuesday.

Under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the US, the local courts have one year to complete judicial proceedings against a US soldier. After that period, he/she shall be relieved of any obligation.

Source: GMA News Online