A court in Olongapo City has ordered the early release of Joseph Scott Pemberton who was convicted for the murder of transgender woman Jennifer Laude in 2014.
The directive issued by Olongapo RTC Branch 74 Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde dated September 1, 2020 has favored the partial motion for reconsideration filed by Pemberton. It stated that Pemberton has already served his sentence.
The computed time showed his detention duration already reached 10 years, one month, and 10 days, surpassing the 10-year maximum penalty imposed by the court. Included in the computation of his incarceration are his preventive imprisonment, actual service of sentence, and his earned good conduct time allowance (GCTA).
It also claimed that Pemberton has already paid in full the damages amounting to Php 4.6 million for Laude’s family. Pemberton was convicted of homicide and is detained at the special military jail in Camp Aguinaldo.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque condemned in a statement the order to release Pemberton. Roque was the legal counsel of the Laude family.
– Report from Kenneth Paciente
