Court reduces Pemberton's sentence

MANILA, Philippines – An Olongapo court on Monday reduced the sentence on US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton for killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude.

Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 74 reduced Pemberton's sentence from a maximum of 12 years to 10 years, according to a report from the STAR.

The court cited "passion" and "intoxication" as mitigating circumstances for the decision.

Meanwhile, the Olongapo court affirmed the US Marine's petition for bail and for partial reconsideration.

READ: Prosecutors ask court to junk Pemberton appeal

The Laude family said that it is pleased with the decision to dismiss the appeal of Pemberton.

"We are happy that Pemberton's motion for reconsideration was not fully granted. We are happy that the decision remains: That Pemberton is guilty of killing Jennifer Laude. We are happy that he was denied bail," Laude family lawyer Harry Roque said in a statement.

However, the Laude camp has expressed disappointment over the decision of the court to reduce Pemberton's sentence.

"We are not pleased with the lighter penalty granted. We stress that the lighter penalty of six to 10 years imprisonment still disqualifies Pemberton from seeking early release through parole," Roque said.

Roque also expressed his hopes that the development on the Pemberton case will inspire a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

On Dec. 1, 2015, the Olongapo RTC sentenced Pemberton to imprisonment from six to 12 years and ordered him to pay P50,000 as civil indemnity and P4.32 million to Laude's family as damages for loss of earning capacity.

Pemberton was also ordered to pay P155,255 as reimbursement for the wake and burial of the victim, P50,000 for moral damages and P30,000 for exemplary damages.