The Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 has lowered US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton’s jail sentence from 12 to 10 years, who had been convicted of homicide for his involvement in the death of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.
The court, however, denied Pemberton’s petition to reverse his conviction for homicide, as well as his appeal for bail petition.
“Laude’s family welcomed the court’s decision to affirm the Pemberton’s conviction,” reports ABS-CBN News.
The family’s lawyer, Atty. Harry Roque, said, “We are happy that Pemberton’s motion for reconsideration was not fully granted. We are happy that the decision remains: that Pemberton is guilty of killing Jennifer Laude. We are happy that he was denied bail.”
The report noted: “Although the Laude family lamented the reduction of Pemberton’s sentence from 12 to 10 years, Roque stressed that Pemberton still will not be able to request for parole. Roque also said they hope this will urge authorities to review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).”
