NPR

Philippines Pardons U.S. Marine In Killing Of Transgender Woman

Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, 25, was sentenced in 2015 to a term of six to 12 years for homicide, a sentence that was later reduced to 10 years.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has granted "an absolute pardon" to U.S. Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton convicted of killing a transgender woman in 2014.

The surprise move to free the 25-year-old American Marine comes just days after the president's office said it would intervene to block his early release.

The pardon has angered Philippine nationalists who resent the U.S., and gay and transgender groups who fear the decision encourages

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