Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Lubricant found in Pemberton's penis, Laude's anus


MANILA - Prosecution rested its case today after presenting 28 witnesses and 400 documentary and physical evidence in the murder trial of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton for the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.

According to Olongapo Deputy City Prosecutor Misael Ladaga, among the very damaging testimonies made during their presentation of testimony and evidence were those of Laude's friend, Mark Clarence Gelviro alias ''Barbie'', and motel cashier Elias Galamos.

Barbie earlier identified Pemberton in a photo line-up provided by the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) as the man last seen with Laude before she was found dead.

Galamos, on the other hand, claimed he saw Pemberton leaving the motel room where Laude was later found dead.

The prosecutors also considers strong the testimonies of Pembrton's four fellow Marines, the documentary pieces of evidence of the US NCIS and pathological reports of the Philippine National Police crime laboratory.

They believe they have presented more than enough evidence to secure a conviction.

The last to testify for the prosecution was NCIS agent Richard Bush, who took panoramic photographs of the crime scene and corroborated earlier testimonies made by other NCIS agents.

Private prosecutors Harry Roque and Virgie Suarez, meanwhile, said that they are satisfied with the presentation of witnesses and evidence.

The prosecutors submitted their formal offer of evidence to Judge Roline Ginez Jabalde of Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74.

Jabalde set the next hearing on August 3 where the defense panel will begin presenting its witnesses and pieces of evidence.

The defense panel requested four hearing days to present their case.

Among the witnesses they intend to present are Pemberton, his mother, and other NCIS agents.

If the planned presentation of the defense panel is on schedule, prosecutors believe the judge can come up with a judgment before the end of September or early October.

Meanwhile, the defense filed an urgent motion for the PNP crime laboratory to inspect the condom wrapper which was found inside the room where Laude was killed.

The request was made a week after Jessica LeCroy, latent print examiner of the US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL), said a "suitable latent fingerprint " of Pemberton was found in the condom wrapper recovered in the bathroom where Laude was found dead.

Derek Dorrien, a forensic lubricant expert also of the USACIL, testified that the lubricant found in the condom wrapper is the same lubricant found in the penis and body of Pemberton.

He said the same lubricant was also found in Laude's anus.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com