Joseph Scott Pemberton: Philippines; Significant development: The US marine has been cleared of murder - but convicted of a lesser offence and sentenced to 12 years after killing a transgender woman in a hotel room. "He was sentenced to 12 years in jail. Pemberton will also have to pay £63,000 to the victim's family. Ms Laude's mother, Julita, said that while she was happy the verdict detailed everything that had transpired, she was not pleased with the jail term because she had hoped Pemberton would be found guilty of murder, a graver crime."But the important thing is he will be jailed," she said. "My son's life is not wasted."

"A US marine has been convicted after killing a transgender woman in a hotel room. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was found guilty of homicide after killing Jennifer Laude in an incident in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. He was taking part in military exercises in October last year with the Philippine army when he met Ms Laude, who was previously known as Jeffrey, in a bar. The pair were seen leaving together and then checked into the Celzone Lodge hotel. However that is where Pemberton, from New Bedford, Massachutsetts, killed her, leaving her strangled head inside the toilet. It is claimed that Pemberton did not know she was transgender until arriving at the hotel room............ He was sentenced to 12 years in jail. Pemberton will also have to pay £63,000 to the victim's family. Ms Laude's mother, Julita, said that while she was happy the verdict detailed everything that had transpired, she was not pleased with the jail term because she had hoped Pemberton would be found guilty of murder, a graver crime."But the important thing is he will be jailed," she said. "My son's life is not wasted." Pemberton told the court in August that he choked Ms Laude during a fight that erupted when he discovered she was a transgender woman, but said she was still alive when he left her in a shower, according to his lawyer, Rowena Garcia Flores. Lawyers of the Laude family, however, said Ms Laude was dead when Pemberton left her..........Pemberton's actions has reignited a debate in the Philippines about the US presence in the country The killing has reignited calls by left-wing groups and nationalists for an end to America's military presence in the Philippines. It comes at a time when the US is reasserting its dominance in Asia, and Manila has turned to Washington for support amid an escalating territorial dispute with China."...Pemberton is still able to appeal the conviction."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/marine-joseph-scott-pemberton-convicted-6931739