OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – The camp of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton yesterday denied offering a P21-million settlement to the family of Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.
“I want to clarify and to put on record straight… it is an absolute lie, we did not make an offer… It was they who made the P21-million demand when plea bargaining was discussed,” Benjamin Tolosa Jr., one of the lawyers for Pemberton, told The STAR.
Laude’s family earlier said they would not agree to a settlement in the murder case against Pemberton.
Pemberton’s trial entered its second day with the second of 27 witnesses taking the stand.
The prosecution headed by Olongapo City Prosecutor Emelie Fe delos Santos presented Mark Clarence “Barbie” Caguioa Gelviro, a transgender and a friend of Laude.
A prosecution lawyer described Gelviro as “composed, very relaxed, cool and candid and a very good witness.”
Virgie Suarez, one of the lawyers for the Laude family, said Gelviro told the court that Pemberton was with Laude when she left them at Celzone Lodge.
Elias Gallamos, a cashier of Celzone Lodge, earlier identified Pemberton as Laude’s companion before the transgender was found dead in the motel room’s bathroom on Oct. 11, 2014.
There were no other details yet on the cross-examination.
Pemberton attended hearing
Pemberton arrived for the hearing at noon and left at 5 p.m.
Members of the Laude family went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila to deliver a letter urging that their private lawyers be allowed “full participation” in the trial.
Accompanied by lead counsel Harry Roque, the family also asked the DOJ to replace Delos Santos, who excluded the private lawyers in preparations for the trial.
The Laudes said they wanted a new public prosecutor “who will not bar or refuse the help of private counsels.”
Only Michelle, Laude’s sister, was present during the trial. Her mother Julita and sister Marilou stayed in Manila with Roque. – With Rhodina Villanueva