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The mother of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton took the witness stand at the Olongapo Regional Trial Court on Mon, Aug 17, in defense of her son, who is charged with the murder of transgender woman Jennifer Laude.
Lisa Pemberton, who was presented as a character witness, was the defense’s opening salvo during the first day of their presentation of evidence. One of the things she claimed was that her son had no hatred toward the LGBT community, as his sister was a lesbian.
Defense lawyers declined to give any comment but Atty. Harry Roque, lawyer of the Laude family, said that Pemberton’s testimony was ”irrelevant and immaterial.”
He said that Lisa Pemberton was emotional during her testimony as she described how good a person is her son.
She also presented to the court 22 letters from close friends and family which attests to the good character of Pemberton.
But Julita Laude, Jennifer’s mother, was not convinced with her testimony.
“Bilang ina ang iniiyakan niya at hindi ma-accept sa sarili niya na ‘yung anak na pinagmamalaki niya ay pumatay pala (As a mom, she is crying and can’t accept that the son she’s so proud of has killed someone) ,” she said.
Text: Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
