MANILA - The camp of slain transgender Jennifer Laude is optimistic that the court will convict US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton of murder on Tuesday.

Virgie Suarez, lawyer for the Laude family, believes the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to merit a favorable verdict, which will be decided upon by the Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74.

"I expect no less than conviction. I am certain about it because the evidence is very overwhelming. I mean, that is something that cannot be denied even by the judge so that's my expectation," Suarez said in a phone interview on ANC's Dateline Philippines.

Suarez added that the victim's family "likewise expect justice to be served" through Pemberton's conviction.

"The family has mixed emotions. They are excited at the same time they cannot explain the feeling that finally the trial is over. That finally there will be a promulgation or a verdict," she said.

If convicted, Suarez said Pemberton should be transferred out of his current detention at the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) compound in Camp Aguinaldo, which she said is out of the local authorities' control.

The lawyer also said that Pemberton should serve his sentence in a regular jail within the Philippine jurisdiction.

"We expect that he will be jailed in the Philippine prison," she said.

The Supreme Court earlier junked the Laude family's petition for Pemberton's transfer to Olongapo City Jail while the trial is ongoing.

When asked about the possibility of the court ruling in favor of Pemberton, Suarez said they will seek a legal recourse before an international body, considering that acquittal cannot be appealed under the Philippine law.

"The only unfavorable ruling will be acquittal. And under our law acquittal is non-appealable. There is no way that you can appeal a decision that acquits Pemberton. I mean, that's it. It is always final," she said

"If that is the case then I guess we have to refile the case outside the Philippine jurisdiction. I guess we will have to build an international complaint against the US and against Pemberton before an international body," she added.

Pemberton was accused of killing Laude in a motel in October last year.

While maintaining his innocence, the US marine has admitted to choking Laude after finding out that the latter was a transgender woman, but claimed that the victim was still alive when he left the scene.

READ: Pemberton admits choking Jennifer after oral sex, 'fight'

Security will be tight on Tuesday at the Olongapo City Hall of Justice as protesters are expected to flock to show support for Laude's camp while awaiting the court's decision.