Prosecutors inspect crime scene of Laude killing

Government prosecutors inspected on Wednesday two places where slain transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude was last seen alive, including the Olongapo motel where the victim's body was found October 11.

A television report said first to be inspected was the Ambyanz Night Life bar, where Laude and the suspect in the killing, US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, supposedly met.

Pemberton, 19, is facing a murder complaint in connection with the Laude killing. He is presently detained inside the Philippine military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

 

The prosecution panel then went to the Celzone Lodge, where the victim was found dead on October 11 in a bathroom after succumbing to asphyxia due to drowning. 

 

After the inspections, Olongapo City chief prosecutor Emilie Fe delos Santos said the ocular inspections form part of the preliminary investigation to corroborate the witnesses' testimonies. 

 

"Ngayon, nabigyan na namin ng buhay kung gaano katama ang mga sinasabi ng testigo patungkol sa night club. Pero kung paano 'yun makakatulong sa kaso, hindi ko 'yun pwedeng sabihin sa ngayon," she said in report aired on GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas.

 

The first inspection lasted for about two hours. It was attended by the victim's family, and the lawyers of both camp, some members of the US Naval forces, and police officials that responded to the crime, an earlier report on GMA News TV's News TV Live said.

 

The main witness, only known as "Barbie," was also present in the inspection, despite the defense's objection.

 

After the preliminary investigation, the prosecution panel shall issue a resolution which states if they will elevate the case to the court, or to dismiss the murder complaint. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/RSJ, GMA News