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      US Marine Handed Over to Philippine Military in Murder Investigation

   by VOA News

   A U.S. Marine suspected of killing of a transgender woman earlier this
   month has been transferred to Philippine military headquarters in
   Manila amid public pressure to move him off a U.S. warship.

   Until the transfer Wednesday, Private First Class Joseph Scott
   Pemberton was detained aboard a U.S. vessel following allegations that
   he murdered 26-year-old Jennifer Laude after meeting her in a bar.

   The Marine will be guarded by local and U.S. forces in the capital as
   the investigation continues.

   Witnesses said Pemberton and Laude went to a hotel room in the port
   city of Olongapo on October 11. Laude's body was later found in the
   bathroom.

   Pemberton was stationed aboard an amphibious assault ship that was in
   combat training with the Philippine military until a day before the
   alleged murder.

   Under the visiting forces agreement between Manila and Washington, the
   Philippines has jurisdiction over criminal cases, but the U.S.
   maintains custody of the accused.

   Pemberton failed to appear at a hearing on Tuesday, raising concerns by
   the victim's family over whether he would face justice.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-marine-handed-over-to-philippine-m
   ilitary-murder-investigation/2491883.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-marine-handed-over-to-philippine-military-murder-investigation/2491883.html