OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – US Marine L/Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton is set to be arraigned on Feb. 23 for the murder of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.
Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 set the arraignment at 9 a.m. after the Department of Justice (DOJ) denied Pemberton’s petition for review last week.
Jabalde denied the prosecution’s motion for her to inhibit from the case.
The court has also set the date for preliminary conference to mark evidence and pre-trial for stipulation of facts.
Jabalde was a former classmate of Pemberton’s lawyer, Rowena Garcia Flores, at San Beda College of Law.
However, she said nobody can influence her, including Pemberton’s counsel.
The judge said the prosecution’s claim that they were not present when Pemberton surrendered to the jurisdiction of the court has no basis in law or rule of procedure.
She said the Olongapo police booked Pemberton inside the courtroom to ensure his security.
The motion to allow media coverage and the custody of Pemberton remain pending.
Pemberton’s lawyer said these two motions would likely be resolved on Feb. 23.
Last Dec. 23, Jabalde ordered the trial’s suspension for 60 days after Pemberton filed a petition for review with the DOJ.