Pemberton to testify in Laude murder case

(Updated 10:44 a.m.) Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is set to take the stand on Monday in the case against him regarding the murder of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, a live report on News To Go said.

 

Pemberton's turn to testify comes after his mother, Lisa, testified to her son's "good character."

 

The soldier's lawyer Rowena Garcia-Flores had said that during the closed-door trial, Lisa identified letters sent by at least 22 people to show the good character of Pemberton.

 

Lisa's best friend, Diane Rioux, was quoted as saying in one of the letters that she has "never known him (Pemberton) to exhibit signs of hostility of violence."

 

Rioux added that Pemberton "has a reputation of 'never hurting a fly.'"

 

In the report, GMA News' Rida Reyes said the prosecution believes the testimony from the mother doesn't carry much weight since it has been a year since Lisa was with her son.

 

Pemberton is currently detained at the Armed Forces of the Philippines' headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

 

He is accused of murdering Laude, whose body was discovered in a motel room in Olongapo City in October 2014. The two had allegedly left a local bar together. —Rose-Ann Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News