The Philippines Charge U.S. Marine for the Killing of Transgender Woman

By Dustin M Braden - 15 Dec '14 11:47AM

19-year-old Joseph Scott Pemberton was one of 3,500 U.S troops that were based in The Philippines for joint military exercises, a longtime practice between the United states and its former colony, according to The Washington Post.

Pemberton allegedly strangled and drowned Jennifer Laude- a transgender woman who was formerly known as Jeffrey- in a toilet bowl at a motel.

The Philippine National Police said that the victim and another transgender woman met Pemberton at a disco bar in Olongapo City when the accused was on shore leave. Then the three went to a motel together. Reportedly, the victim told her friend that they should get out of there soon because Pemberton hadn't discovered that they were transgender yet.

Later, a motel clerk found the dead body of Laude next to a toilet. In a photo lineup, both the victim's friend and the motel clerk identified Pemberton.

The Washington Post reported that the prosecutor, Emily de los Santos, said, "It's murder. It was aggravated by treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty." Filipino transgender community advocates that have been calling for justice for the murder since October. They also called the incident a "hate crime," according to the Post.

Pemberton was kept on a U.S. ship docked off the coast but he was later moved to a local detention camp after a public outcry urging the U.S. to turn him over to the local authorities. Although he is now being held at a Filipino detention camp, he still remains in US custody.

According to an agreement between the US government and its former colony, during criminal proceedings against US personnel in the Philippines, the suspect can remain in U.S custody. The Philippines can request the U.S government bring Pemberton to justice before the Philippine trial is over.

In a statement released about the case, foreign ministry spokesperson Charles Jose said: "We look forward to the full cooperation of the U.S. government in ensuring that justice is secured," the Post reported.