When PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton and Jeffrey Laude's Paths Crossed



We woke up again to a sad and shocking news in October 11, 2014.  Jeffrey Laude, a transgender, was found dead in Celzone Lodge in Olongapo City.  Jeffrey's lifeless body was found by the toilet bowl just minutes after he and his male companion arrived.  His male companion, who later became the suspect, was identified as PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton.  He was positively identified by eyewitnesses as the last person seen with Jeffrey.  During the initial investigations, Joseph Scott Pemberton said, 'I did something wrong."  He immediately sought counsel from a lawyer after that.  



We can only speculate about what happened the night that PFC Joseph Scott Pemberton and Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude met until trial happens.   People have their own takes about the entire crime and that is only what we can do.  I'm sure all of us have questions about the possible motive of the US Marine for violently attacking and killing the transgender.  Many interested groups came into the defense of Jennifer's person, citing hatred for the third sex and violent machismo as the root cause of the violent crime.  However, another opinion is arising about Jeffrey's secret occupation, that of plying some sexual services to foreigners.  This despite having a German boyfriend who he will settle down with eventually.   All these became fodder for curious minds, well, nothing is ever certain until the truth is uncovered.   

This is the second time  that a US serviceman got involved in a crime in Subic.  In 2006, Corporal Lance Daniel Smith was  convicted for raping a Filipina named Nicole (an alias) but was acquitted by the Court of Appeals in 2009.  The said encounter was only "a spontaneous, unplanned romantic episode."  


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