Court: Laude died of asphyxia by drowning

MANILA - The Olongapo regional trial court handling the murder case of Jennifer Laude ruled that the victim died of drowning.

The Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 gave credence to the findings of prosecution witness PNP Crime Laboratory - Region 3 head Dr. Reynaldo Dave who earlier said there were traumatic injuries on the neck of Jennifer, which could mean strangulation; as well as fluid oozing from her lungs, which could mean there was drowning.

"This court gives more credence to prosecution witness Dr. Dave's testimony as it is more consistent with the injuries sustained by the deceased," the clerk of court said, reading the court's decision.

The court will soon release its verdict on the primary respondent in the case, US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.

During the promulgation, the court also dismissed Pemberton's excuse that he tried to revive Laude.

"The accused's intent to drown the deceased was even made more manifest when he brought Laude to the side of the toilet where he can easily and conveniently access the flush lever as he maintains the deceased head inside the toilet bowl," the court said.

"This court considers the crime scene autographs and finds the body's position relevant to the toilet's flush lever more logical since the accused had more ease to access the flush lever, enabling him to simultaneously press the lever - releasing the water down the toilet bowl - and maintain the victim's head also down the boil."

"Had the accused's intention is to revive the victim, the body should have been recovered slumped to the bathroom floor beneath the shower head and faucet, his head not inside the toilet bowl."

Laude's body was discovered inside the bathroom of Celzone Hotel in Barangay West Tapinac, Olongapo City in October last year.

Hotel staff found the lifeless Laude wrapped in a bed sheet, with her head slumped in the toilet bowl.

Police said Laude checked in at the hotel with a foreigner, who appeared to be in his mid-20s. The foreigner then left the room after about half an hour.

Initial investigation revealed Laude's neck was pressed down on the toilet seat, while her head was being shoved into the toilet bowl.

Police then tagged a US Marine as the person who accompanied Laude in the motel. This US personnel would later be identified as Pemberton.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Robin Williams committed suicide, coroner confirms

LOS ANGELES - Comic actor Robin Williams committed suicide by hanging himself and had no alcohol or illicit drugs in his system at the time of his death, coroners said Friday.

The 63-year-old, known for high-energy, rapid-fire improvisation and clowning, was found dead on August 11 at his home in Marin County, north of San Francisco.

The coroner for Marin County, Robert T. Doyle, said the investigation into his death had concluded, giving the cause as "asphyxia due to hanging" and the manner of death as "suicide."

"Toxicological evaluation revealed the absence of alcohol or illicit drugs. Prescription medications were detected in therapeutic concentrations," it added in a brief statement.

Williams, an Oscar-winner and veteran of movies, stand-up shows and hit television series, was one of Hollywood's most popular entertainers and his death triggered an outpouring of emotion the world over.

A few days after his death, Williams' wife said her husband was suffering from depression and the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Father-of-three Williams had spoken openly in the past about his battles with alcoholism and drug abuse -- and often drew on them in his stand-up comedy routines.

Star of hit films such as "Good Morning, Vietnam" and "Mrs Doubtfire," Williams had last been seen alive the day before his death by his wife Susan Schneider before she went to bed.

She left the house the next day assuming he was still asleep in a separate room in the home in Tiburon.

Williams' ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay, according to media reports.

President Barack Obama and the US first family joined the outpouring of grief, calling him "an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between."

"But he was one of a kind," Obama said.

Later in August the 66th Emmy Awards paid a heartfelt and somber tribute to Williams, his friend and fellow actor-comic Billy Crystal calling him "the brightest star in the comedy galaxy."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Actor Robin Williams found dead in apparent suicide: sheriff

(Reuters) - Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead on Monday from an apparent suicide at his home in Northern California, Marin County Sheriff's Office said. He was 63.

The sheriff's coroner's division said it suspects the death was a suicide due to asphyxia, but the cause of death is still under investigation.

Last month, the "Good Will Hunting" actor, who has struggled with addiction in the past, entered a Minnesota rehabilitation center to help him maintain sobriety.

His representatives at the time said Williams was not using drugs or alcohol but had gone to the center to "fine-tune and focus" his sobriety after working a longer-than-usual schedule.

(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and Ken Wills)