US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A US Marine has asked a Philippine court to reverse his conviction in the killing of a transgender Filipino and also sought a reduction of his six to 12-year jail term and bail.
Lawyer Rowena Garcia-Flores says she will insist that her client, Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, did not kill Jennifer Laude in a motel room after they met in a disco bar in October 2014 and that his sentence should be eased because he surrendered to authorities.
READ: Pemberton guilty of homicide in Laude case, sentenced to up to 12 yrs
Pemberton was convicted of homicide in December by a regional trial court and detained at the Philippine military headquarters.
The court case raised concerns about special treatment for visiting American forces, and left-wing activists have called on the government to fight Pemberton’s appeal.
READ: Pemberton a flight risk, say Laude kin
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