Pemberton pays victim’s kin P4.6 million

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — The family of transgender Jeffrey ”Jennifer” Laude who was killed by a US Marine received P4.6 million in civil damages on Wednesday.

Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton made the payment after the Supreme Court allowed him to withdraw his appeal to reverse his conviction.

Pemberton was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for homicide.

Pemberton’s counsel Rowena Garcia-Flores handed a check amounting to P4,655,250 representing Laude’s loss of earning capacity, to Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde.

Pemberton was also ordered to pay P30,000 in exemplary damages and P50,000 each in civil indemnity and moral damages.

Laude was found dead at Celzone Lodge along Magsaysay Drive in this city on Oct. 11, 2014.

Pemberton admitted that he strangled and killed Laude.