Pemberton a flight risk, say Laude kin

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines—Convicted US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton should not be granted bail because he is a flight risk, according to the family of slain transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.

Pemberton on Wednesday filed a motion for reconsideration of his conviction for killing Laude at a motel here in October last year. His lawyers also asked Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of the Regional Trial Court Branch 74 here to grant him bail, pending a resolution of their appeal.

But lawyer Virgie Suarez, counsel of the Laude family, said the petition for bail can only be decided by the Court of Appeals. “Filing it before the same court (RTC) is procedurally irregular,” she said in a text message. “To allow Pemberton bail would be a mockery of our justice system.”

She said the family hoped Jabalde would deny Pemberton’s petition for bail, arguing that he could flee the country.

On Dec. 1, Jabalde found Pemberton guilty of homicide and sentenced him to a six to 12-year jail term, which he would serve at a facility in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.