As the legal camp of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton works for his immediate release from prison, the convicted killer of a transgender here has paid the family of his victim over P4.6 million in civil damages.

Pemberton’s lawyer Rowena Flores on Wednesday, August 26, submitted to court a check for the payment, which was under the name of Marilou Laude, the sister of the slain transgender Jennifer Laude.

The convicted US Marine was ordered to pay P4.3 million for loss of earning capacity of Laude, P30,000 for exemplary damages and P50,000 each for civil indemnity and moral damages.

Pemberton’s move signified what could be the culmination of American soldier’s sentence here in the country. He has been detained since October 2014 and in 2015 was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

But if he is able to avail of the perks under Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), Pemberton could have as much as 4.5 years slashed off his 10-year sentence. This means he could be walking free and returning home to the US either this year or next year.

Pemberton withdrew his appeal before the Supreme Court last June, and the high tribunal has considered the case closed and terminated.

Pemberton’s GCTA is currently being heard and will be decided upon by the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74. – With a report from Lian Buan/Rappler.com