US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has withdrawn his petition to the Supreme Court that questions the decision of the Court of Appeals regarding the killing of Jennifer Laude in 2014.
The Appellate Court has initially strengthened the guilty verdict of the Olongapo Regional Trial Court against Pemberton for homicide. However, the decision was questioned by Pemberton with the Supreme Court on October 5, 2017.
“The Court GRANTS petitioner’s urgent motion for leave to withdraw (petition for review on certiorari dated October 5, 2017) dated June 2, 2020 stating that after thoughtful consideration of the circumstances of this case, he has decided to withdraw his petition, both as criminal and civil aspects of the appeal, and accepts and recognizes that his conviction will become final and executory.”
The Notice of Resolution of the Supreme Court 3rd division contains the High Court’s approval of the motion of Pemberton that was filed on June 2, 2020 stating the withdrawal of his appeal and acceptance of his conviction that is “final and executory.”
It further stated that, “in view thereof, this case is considered closed and terminated, and the parties are hereby informed accordingly.”
Pemberton is currently jailed in a special military facility in Camp Aguinaldo. He has been sentenced 6 to 12 years of imprisonment but the Olongapo RTC reduced the maximum penalty to 10 years. – PTV News
