DFA: Duterte pardons convicted American soldier Pemberton
(FILE) US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton (C) enters a court building to face the verdict of a murder case at the regional trial court in Olongapo City on December 1, 2015. A verdict is expected December 1 in Pemberton's murder trial of transgender Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude, with the case attracting national attention as the Philippines seeks closer defence ties with its longtime ally the United States. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has pardoned convicted U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Locsin tweeted the announcement on Monday days after the Department of Justice said it would file its own motion for reconsideration against Pemberton’s early release.
“Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control—and to do justice—the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton,” the diplomat said.
The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 in 2015 sentenced Pemberton to up to 10 years imprisonment for killing Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude inside a bathroom of an Olongapo motel in October 2014.
RTC Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde on September 1 ordered Pemberton’s release, saying that the US soldier already served the equivalent of ten years, one month and 10 days in jail, with Good Conduct Time Allowance factored in.
Laude’s family opposed the judge’s decision through a motion for reconsideration. The DOJ was about to follow suit, but Duterte’s pardon now makes it no longer possible.
Locsin tweeted the announcement on Monday days after the Department of Justice said it would file its own motion for reconsideration against Pemberton’s early release.
“Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control—and to do justice—the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton,” the diplomat said.
The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 in 2015 sentenced Pemberton to up to 10 years imprisonment for killing Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude inside a bathroom of an Olongapo motel in October 2014.
RTC Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde on September 1 ordered Pemberton’s release, saying that the US soldier already served the equivalent of ten years, one month and 10 days in jail, with Good Conduct Time Allowance factored in.
Laude’s family opposed the judge’s decision through a motion for reconsideration. The DOJ was about to follow suit, but Duterte’s pardon now makes it no longer possible.
