Marilou, sister of slain Filipino transgender Jeffrey Laude (also known as Jennifer), shows a picture she took of U.S. Marine Joseph Pemberton (R in the mobile phone image) during his court appearance in Olongapo city northwest of Manila December 19, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines (Reuters) - A United States Marine accused of killing a transgender Filipino appeared in a Philippine court for the first time on Friday, as his lawyers sought the suspension of the trial, in a case that could test the strength of security ties between the two allies.
The Marine, Joseph Scott Pemberton, who is being held at a U.S. facility at the main Philippine army base, was charged with the murder of Jeffrey Laude, who was found dead on Oct. 11 in a hotel in Olongapo City, northwest of Manila.
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