Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Bulletin: The Phillipines; U.S. Marines Joseph Scott Pemburten; 'Manila Bulletin' calls it a "Transgender murder case muddled with more questions," and lists some of them: Who owns the necklace? Who took the money? Third party? It's all theory: (Assertion by prosecutors); Did he leave Laude alive? Drunken statement? Why P200-M?
Countdown to Wrongful Conviction Day: Friday, October 2, 2105; 2 days. For information: http://www.aidwyc.org/wcd-2015/
"As the arduous trial of accused murderer US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton nears its end, the summations made before the court by the prosecution and defense were so far apart that many observers are puzzled at how the judge will rule the killing of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude. Last September 17, the two legal camps gave their summations and submitted their memorandums to Judge Roline Ginez Jabalde of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 74. Yet after the legal teams left the court, both camps raised more questions before media. Here is a taste:Who owns the necklace? In Pemberton’s defense, Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. begged the question: “Who owns the necklace?” Citing the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigation report, Tolosa told the court that agents found a necklace that was being clutched by Laude when he was found dead with his head on the toilet bowl of the room in Celzone Lodge. Tolosa said the necklace was neither owned by Pemberton or Laude, suggesting that there was another person who saw Laude before authorities came and investigated the crime scene. Tolosa said that the records of the case are replete with evidence that “a third party” killed Laude. The lawyer also said that the police “only targeted our client and did not investigate other people.” "Who took the money?" Another part of the summation of the defense is the claim that Laude was missing P20,000 in cash. It was learned during the earlier investigation that Laude had P20,000 in cash with him when he entered the motel room with Pemberton. After authorities checked the belongings of the victim, they did not find that amount of money. “Had they (police) investigated other people, it would be clear from the very start that our client did not kill Laude, that another person killed Laude,” Tolosa said. "Third party?" Another revelation made by the defense panel is the presence of DNA of another person found in Laude’s neck. The NCIS’ report stated that investigators found DNA on the victim’s neck that did not match that of Pemberton’s. Pemberton’s other legal counsel, Atty. Rowena Flores, said: “It is the only logical conclusion we said during summation that Pemberton should be acquitted. Dapat they proved it when they presented evidence.” “They failed to look into it. Hopefully he will be acquitted,” Flores added. (Go to the link for the remaining questions cited by the Manila Bulletin. HL);
