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(UPDATED) On Mon, Aug 24, US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton admitted that he “choked Jennifer Laude after learning that she was also a ‘man.'” However, in later reports, Pemberton’s lawyer, Atty. Rowena Flores, clarified that while her client may have had an altercation with Laude, he did not realize that he had caused her death. Flores reiterated the claim that Pemberton acted in self-defense.
“In his testimony during the hearing on Laude’s murder at the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74, Pemberton said that on Oct. 11, 2014, he went to the mall and several bars as part of his “liberty time.’ After going to several bars, he went back to the mall and later went to Ambyanz Resto Bar where he met ‘two women,’ one whom was Laude,” reports Inquirer.net.
In his testimony, Pemberton related that “Laude and the other unidentified woman went with him to Cellzone Lodge where one of the women performed oral sex on him.” Then, after the other woman left, Pemberton and Laude were left alone inside the hotel room. Laude also to perform oral sex on Pemberton.
However, during the sex act, Pemberton said he reached down between Laude’s legs and discovered he had a penis. Pemberton then said he felt enraged by his discovery, as he felt he was “being raped by another man.”
Pemberton claims that he pushed away Laude but the latter retaliated by slapping him. Pemberton said he then choked. He added that he later “dragged her to the comfort room where he poured water on Laude in the hopes of reviving her.”
Follow-up reports are expected to reveal what will happen next after Pemberton’s revelation.
Photo: PNP
