"Pemberton admits choking Jennifer Laude"

2015-08-24T13:34:09-04:00

From: The Inquirer

US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton admitted on Monday that he choked Jennifer Laude after learning that she was also a “man.”

Pemberton made the admission during the hearing on Laude’s murder at the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74.

Pemberton strangled and dragged Laude after discovering that she was a transgender, Laude family lawyer Harry Roque told reporters.

In his testimony, Pemberton said that on Oct. 11, 2014, he went to the mall and several bars as part of his “liberty time.”

After going to several bars, he went back to the mall and later went to Ambyanz Resto Bar where he met “two women,” one whom was Laude.

He said Laude and the other unidentified woman went with him to Cellzone Lodge where one of the women performed oral sex on him.

After the woman left, Pemberton and Laude were left alone inside the hotel room, where Laude also began performed oral sex on him.

During the sex act, Pemberton said, he reached down between Laude’s legs and discovered that his sex partner had a penis.

According to Pemberton, he got angry–feeling that he was being raped by another man.

The American said he pushed Laude but the latter retaliated by slapping him.
Pemberton said he then choked Laude.

When he saw that she was no longer moving, he dragged her to the comfort room where he poured water on Laude in the hopes of reviving her.

Last May, Philippine National Police medico-legal officer and pathologist Dr. Maritess Ombao testified that Laude died due to strangulation and asphyxia by drowning.

Pemberton is accused of killing Laude, who was found dead in a bathroom of a motel in Olongapo City.

A bellboy identified Pemberton as the companion of Laude before her body was found.

The murder complaint was filed December last year.

Pemberton is currently detained at the JUSMAG facility inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/715734/pemberton-admits-choking-jennifer-laude#ixzz3jkrSf6yV

Pemberton admits choking Jennifer Laude

US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton admitted on Monday that he choked Jennifer Laude to death after learning that she was also a “man.”

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Aug 24 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-08-24T13:41:02-04:00

Unsat.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-08-24T13:46:41-04:00

ABSOLUTELY does not excuse his actions so consider the next comment separate, he is guilty of murder.

His partner however had an obligation to not try to pass herself off as anatomically female, an assumption that can almost be guaranteed that the man made. It was also a reasonable assumption and she did not help him to realize it wasn't true.

Again this in no way validates murder.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 24 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-08-24T14:21:02-04:00

Not to justify what happened, however, Ms Laude had a responsibility to inform PFC Pemberton that she was a transgender male, furthermore, PFC Pemberton had a reasonable expectation that who he was with was female... Ms Laude had more than ample opportunity to inform PFC Pemberton, but CHOSE not to. Again, not justifying anything, but all things being considered, Ms Laude did, in fact, play a participant in her murder. The only one who had nothing to hide in this encounter, was PFC Pemberton. I'm sure Ms Laude had to have known something negative would happen if this was discovered by PFC Pemberton, maybe not murder, but something, and this should be considered in PFC Pemberton's case.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 24 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-08-24T14:49:00-04:00

Here's a tip. Don't get drunk and take a perfect stranger to a hotel and get blown in a hotel within a few hours of meeting anyone. The chances of getting into any kind of trouble goes up dramatically, don't you think? They need to amend those 'sex consent' cards to include 'do you have a penis/vagina/both. Common sense also dictates that if you are hiding the fact that you have a surprise in your pants and you pick up a drunk a couple hours after meeting them, there is a excellent chance of getting your ass beat.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-08-24T15:03:49-04:00

WHERE'S THE QUESTION, RALLY POINT???

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 3:08 PM

2015-08-24T15:08:35-04:00

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Aug 24 at 2015 3:13 PM

2015-08-24T15:13:18-04:00

Murdering the transgender victim is inexcusable, however, the victim, by not advising the subject, PFC Pemberton, that he was a male, posing as a female, was asking for a tragedy such as this to happen.

I have seen similar incidents on several occasions, all of which could have been prevented by the transgender ensuring the other person in the incident knew his true sex. While the transgenders may actually believe they the opposite gender than how they were born or the sexual organs they possess, most "straight" people would not feel that way and, if in a situation like PFC Pemberton found himself in, more times than not, they will react in a violent way.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 24 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-08-24T15:49:06-04:00

They were called Benny Boys back when I was in the Philippines (82-83). They normally steered very clear of us as they knew their shenanigans would not fly. Perhaps they are bolder today. Misrepresenting yourself to someone like this man did to another man is begging for trouble. Minimally a butt kicking. For the PFC, he went too far and killed him. What a strange thing I find myself typing on a military website.

Response by SPC Brittany Smith made Aug 24 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-08-24T18:50:31-04:00

Murder is murder, With that said their could have been better ways he could have handled that. How does getting a BJ and then finding out the person is trans become rape? I am Trans and i have been very open with letting people know, I am not looking to trap anyone as alot of people wanna think. You can support me or hate me but at the end of the day i served my country and did the job i signed up to do.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 6:52 PM

2015-08-24T18:52:51-04:00

Seriously? We're getting news content from the inquirer? WTH RallyPoint?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2015 7:07 PM

2015-08-24T19:07:10-04:00

Transgender should be obligated by law to let their partners whether casual or committed know that they are transgender to avoid a beat down; how are we protecting our soldiers from giving a beat down or getting beat down because it could go both ways

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Aug 25 at 2015 12:10 AM

2015-08-25T00:10:29-04:00

Next time watch the "The crying game " before you invite Bruce to your room.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 25 at 2015 3:43 AM

2015-08-25T03:43:12-04:00

This has been going on forever. When I was in High School a bunch of Marines got in trouble for beating up what we called cross dressing or drag queen prostitutes in Washington DC. They have always been out there. I'd say buyer beware and this guy needs to go to prison for a very long time. Saying he felt like he was being raped by someone he invited or paid is ridiculous.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 25 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-08-25T09:51:49-04:00

Drunk Marine + ladyboy = big trouble. No she didn't deserve to be murdered but she was definitely cruising for an ass beating by not disclosing the fact she was transgender. An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship that not only involves physical intimacy but emotional intimacy as well. When both parties are not on the same page with either aspect things can get out of hand rather quickly.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 5 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-11-05T13:31:12-05:00

What a sordid story.