US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, has been found guilty of the murder of Filipina trans woman, Jennifer Laude.

The Lance Corporal, who was stationed just outside of Manila at the time of the murder, was sentenced to between six and 12 years in jail after being found guilty of homicide. Along with his prison sentence, Pemberton was ordered to pay $85,000 in damages to the victims family.

Pemberton told the court that he met Laude at a bar and invited her back to his hotel room. When the victim disclosed that she was trans, the marine strangled her and left her in the bathroom of the hotel room. Pemberton claimed that she was still alive when he the scene.

Police, however, have said that Laude had seemingly been drowned in the toilet.

Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde ordered Pemberton to be jailed at the New Bilibid Prison, in suburban Muntinlupa City.