MANILA, Philippines – One of the legal counsels of slain Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude considered suspect's confession a bittersweet victory.
Laude’s lawyer Virginia Lacsa-Suarez said United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton’s recent admission of killing Laude confirmed the cause of their sought for justice and considered it as a small victory. However, she said that justice can only be fully served once the Philippines gained its sovereignty from the U.S.
“The confession itself is a sweet-bitter victory. But justice can only be truly served when the Philippines finally stands on equal footing with US, when we finally take back our sovereignty, and when Filipinos are treated humanely with dignity and respect especially right inside our our very own territory,” Suarez said in a statement.
Suarez also said they have been certain about Pemberton as the culprit in Laude’s death.
“We have always been certain about this – that Pemberton murdered Jennifer. The overwhelming evidence proves this. Now things are crystal clear with Pemberton’s confession,” Suarez said.
The legal counsel said Pemberton’s testimony will be assessed by the court for its final judgment and may be considered as an extenuating circumstance.
“How will this confession affect the case? Legally, the court may consider this as mitigating circumstance,” Suarez said.
Pemberton earlier appeared before Regional Trial Court Branch 74 as a witness for the defense. He admitted he strangled Laude as a form of self-defense which lead to the victim's death.
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