And just like that, an American who killed a Filipina walks free

ICYMI, a US Marine convicted of killing a Filipina transgender has been granted pardon by President Duterte, as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary, Teodoro Locsin Jr.

‘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. Here at the Palace’, tweeted Locsin.

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. Here at the Palace.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) September 7, 2020

In 2015, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was sentenced to 6 to 10 years in prison for the slaying of transgender Jennifer Laude. He made headlines again a few days ago after the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court ordered his early release.

The court argued that Pemberton had nearly served the minimum of six years if the time between his arrest and conviction would be taken into account. Add in a ‘good conduct time allowance‘ which grants him an additional 4 years, then Pemberton has served his full sentence.

The court also notes that Pemberton had already paid the full PHP 4.65 million in civil damages to the Laude family.

However, critics argued that Pemberton never truly served his sentence in a proper jail cell, as per the Visiting Forces Agreement, he was detained at Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who served as a prosecutor for the Laude Family, earlier denounced Pemberton’s early release, calling Laude’s faith the ‘death of Philippine sovereignty’

Statement on the early telease of Pemberton:

As former Private Prosecutor for the Laude family, I deplore the short period of imprisonment meted on Pemberton who killed a Filipino under the most gruesome manner. Laude’s death personifies the death of Philippine sovereignty

— Harry Roque (@attyharryroque) September 2, 2020

The post <b> And just like that, an American who killed a Filipina walks free </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic