Family of slain transgender asks Olongapo court to reconsider releasing US soldier

September 3, 2020

The family of slain transgender female Jennifer Laude on Thursday asked the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court to reconsider its decision ordering the release of American soldier Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton from detention.

Lawyer Virgie Suarez said the motion for reconsideration will be heard at 10 am on Monday by Olongapo City RTC Branch 74 Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde.

"I filed an MR (motion for reconsideration) of the court's order and the order will become final and executory only after 10 days," Suarez said.

Pemberton is being kept at a facility inside Camp Aguinaldo.

Suarez said she will also ask the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Pemberton from leaving the country.

The Olongapo City RTC earlier directed the BuCor to release Pemberton, saying he had  exceeded the 10 year maximum penalty imposed on him for killing Laude in 2014.

The court also said Pemberton met his civil liability by completing the payment of P4.6 million to Laude's heirs.

But the Bureau of Corrections will not yet process the release papers of Pemberton pending resolution by the Olongapo City regional trial court of the motion for reconsideration filed by the family of Laude.

“The BuCor will not yet process the release of Pemberton since there is a pending motion for reconsideration filed in court,” Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said in a text message. DMS