Dr. Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist, testified on Tuesday that transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude did not die of drowning but asphyxia or the loss of breath, as contrary to the testimony made by Chief Inspector Reynaldo Dave, medico-legal officer of Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory who examined Laude’s cadaver.

Dave ruled based on his autopsy reports that Laude suffered traumatic injuries on the neck and back, and the cause of her death is strangulation and drowning.

US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Pemberton, in his testimony on Monday, admitted choking Laude when he found out that she, whom he believed was a woman and had oral s*x with, was actually a man. Pemberton panicked and pushed Laude away that may have made her infuriated and slapped Pemberton.

At that point, Pemberton allegedly acted in self-defense and punched Laude, strangled the transgender until she passed out. Pemberton then dragged Laude to the bathroom.

Pemberton did not admit to killing Laude. The defense insisted that Laude was still breathing in the bathroom when Pemberton left the motel, stating that the transgender just lost consciousness.

The parties await the verdict next month.