US Soldier: Pemberton Admitted He Might Have Killed Laude

Olongapo City (PNA) — The four US Marine soldiers who were with US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, charged with murder for the death of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude last year in this city, on Tuesday testified before the court.

One of them, Lance Corporal Jairn Michael Rose, testified that he noticed Pemberton’s uneasiness when they met after going out with Laude and asked what was bothering him. He said Pemberton replied saying, “I think I killed a he or she.”

In a press briefing, lawyer Harry Roque, the lead private counsel for the family of Laude, said that Rose and the three others – Lance Corporal Bennett Eric Dahl, Sergeant Daniel Fabian Pulido and Corporal Christopher Miller – took the witness stand, their first court appearance since the trial began.

The four soldiers and Pemberton were at the Ambyanz Disco Bar in Magsaysay Drive, this city when Pemberton met Laude.

Minutes later, Pemberton went out of the bar and went inside the nearby Celzone Hotel.

Rose reconfirmed what he and Miller stated in their sworn affidavits made before the Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier this month.

The duo said that Pemberton told them what happened that night, including the death of Laude.

Meanwhile, Laude’s sister Malou described the testimonies of the four US soldiers as fair and reasonable.

“They are okay and they are fair. Even though it is their friend who is involved in the case, they remain to the code to tell the truth,” Malou said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Virgie Suarez said that the prosecution panel has until June 30 to present all its evidence and witnesses. On July 6, the defense will proceed with its witnesses.

“We are confident that we will finish our presentation as scheduled,” Suarez said. (PNA) LAP/ZST/RUBEN A. VELORIA/PS