The president of the Philippines on Monday pardoned a U.S. Marine who was convicted of killing a transgender woman. The Philippine Star newspaper reported prosecutors’ attempts to block Lance Cpl.
Joseph Pemberton’s early release from prison prompted Rodrigo Duterte to pardon him. Prosecutors contend Pemberton in October 2014 murdered Jennifer Laude in a motel room in Olongapo City on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon after he discovered she was trans.
The murder took place after Pemberton met Laude at a local nightclub while his ship was docked at the Subic Bay Freeport. Laude’s death sparked outrage among Philippine activists.