A U.S. Marine has been charged with murder for strangling a transgender Filipina woman to death. Philippine government prosecutors charged detained Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton with murder Monday in the killing of a Filipina transgender woman named Jennifer Laude.

Officials say that Laude, who was originally named Jeffrey, was found strangled to death with her head in a toilet bowl in October, reports New York Daily News. Pemberton allegedly killed her after he discovered that she was born a boy while they were inside of a motel room.

"It's murder," prosecutor Emily de los Santos told reporters after indicting the 19-year-old Marine, according to the Associated Press. "It was aggravated by treachery, abuse of superior strength and cruelty. You can see the kind of cruelty she endured, the injuries she sustained. We believe we have a strong case."

Pemberton was transferred from the U.S. Navy ship Peleliu to the Philippine military's main camp in Manila, where he is currently being held.

However, Laude's relatives are demanding that Pemberton be locked up in an ordinary jail.

"This is not an ordinary murder," said Laude family lawyer Harry Roque according to the Daily Mail. "This is heinous because she was beaten up."

Prosecutors used statements submitted by Pemberton's three Marine colleagues who went drinking with him on Oct. 11 in Olongapo, a bustling commercial Freeport and recreation hub where the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay is stationed.

According to Marine Lance Cpl. Jairn Michael Rose, he went out with Pemberton on the night of the murder and heard the suspect admit back at their ship that he attacked the woman while she was undressed.

"I think I killed a he/she," Pemberton was quoted as having told Rose.

Pemberton allegedly added that he choked her from behind with his arm "for a couple of minutes" until she stopped moving. He then dragged her body into the bathroom and drowned her in the toilet, according to the prosecutors.

Transgender rights advocate groups have labeled the attack as a hate crime.

Related