US Marine offered plea deal over murder of Philippine transgender woman
Source: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A Philippine court on Tuesday offered a plea bargain to a US marine accused of murdering a transgender Filipina, according to lawyers, in a case that has strained Philippine-US ties.
This would give the detained marine, Lance Corporal Joseph Pemberton, a chance to avoid a murder trial that could land him in prison for 40 years if convicted, a state prosecutor and lawyers for the victim’s family said.
Pemberton, aged 19 at the time of the killing, had previously asked the court through his lawyers to downgrade the murder charge to homicide, which carries a maximum 20-year prison term.
Lawyers for Pemberton could not be reached for comment on Tuesday’s court proceeding, which was off limits to the press.
-snip-
Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/us-marine-offered-plea-deal-over-murder-of-philippine-transgender-woman/
= new reply since forum marked as read
