No DNA match in transgender Filipino murder case

Allan Macatuno

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Publication Date : 30-11-2014

The DNA sample of a detained American soldier did not match the traces of DNA obtained from two used condoms at the motel room where transgender Jeffrey Jennifer Laude was found dead, the chief city prosecutor said on Friday.

Olongapo city prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos revealed the results of the DNA testing at the continuation of the preliminary hearing for the murder complaint filed by Laudes family against United States Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton.

The soldier is detained at a facility jointly managed by the Philippine and US governments in the Armed Forces of the Philippines general headquarters in Quezon City.

De los Santos said the prosecution panel will issue a resolution on the complaint on Dec 15. She said the panel has two weeks to study the DNA results and additional pieces of evidence.

We have the DNA result, and its negative. It being negative does not mean it will affect our case. It can also mean that it can also help our case, she said.

The condoms were among the items collected from Room 1 of Celzone Lodge, a motel where Laude and a foreigner, whom witnesses identified as Pemberton, had checked in on the night of Oct. 11. Laude was found dead after the foreigner left the room.

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No DNA match in transgender Filipino murder case