Pemberton trial resumes today

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines – The trial of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, the US Marine charged with killing Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, will resume today after a five-week break.

Pemberton’s mother, a US law expert, a forensic expert, a psychiatrist and a Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent is expected to take the witness stand for the defense.

The defense panel also listed three reserve witnesses.

The prosecution earlier presented its witnesses, including forensic and laboratory experts from the US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL).

Jessica LeCroy, a latent print examiner from USACIL, had earlier testified that Pemberton’s fingerprints matched those lifted from a condom wrapper found at Celzone Lodge where Laude was found dead in October last year.

Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde ordered the prosecution to submit the evidence in court for reexamination.

Pemberton and his Marine buddies were on shore leave on the night of Oct. 11, 2014 when he met Laude at the Ambyanz Nightlife Bar. The two were seen checking into a nearby motel.

Pemberton is being held at a US facility at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City while facing trial.