Manslaughter by Negligence: Jasmine Hartin is charged for Shooting Death of Supt. Henry Jemmott

Jasmine Hartin

Three days after the shooting death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott on San Pedro, the main suspect, Canadian national Jasmine Hartin was charged for his killing. Along with attorney Godfrey Smith, Hartin appeared before the magistrate where she was charged with Manslaughter by Negligence.  While it is not known if she was being given special treatment or it was simply procedural, around midday today, the media reps that were awaiting the arraignment were escorted off the compound. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting 

Late this evening, thirty-two-year-old Jasmine Hartin was arraigned in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court for the charge of Manslaughter by Negligence for the shooting death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott. The charges were leveled following a directive given by the Director of Public Prosecutions this afternoon.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Our investigation team has completed their investigation. The file is now with the Office of Public Prosecution while we await her instructions as to what charge or charges will be preferred against the accused person. May I say that contrary to what the social media experts and trial attorneys and prosecutors have been saying, that the accused woman remains in police custody until after we have gotten the directive. She will remain in custody until then.”

Chester Williams

Reporter

“What are you able to tell us if the investigation is showing clear, positive signs that an arrest will be made?”

Chester Williams

“As I said the investigation is complete and the files are with the D.P.P.  I trust the competence of the D.P.P.  We all know that she is an exceptional prosecutor and an exceptional D.P.P.  And I am sure that after having looked at all the evidence that we have presented to her that she is going to come to the right decision in terms of how we proceed.”

Hartin has been in police custody since last Friday when the incident occurred.  According to official reports, she and the deceased were on a dock in front of Mata Rocks Beach Resort south of the town when sometime before 1 a.m. a single shot was heard. A single bullet from Jemmott’s service weapon caught him behind the right ear. His body was discovered in the water beside the dock. Hartin was found with blood on her clothes and hands.

Henry Jemmott

Chester Williams

“She provided a statement under caution.”

Reporter

“Sir, do police have a clear indication as to what happened that night; in terms of the sequence of events?”

Chester Williams

“We cannot say we have a clear understanding of what happened because we were not there. The only two persons who could have said that to us would have been the deceased and Miss Hartin. You will know that the deceased is dead. He cannot speak for himself; dead man carries no tale. Miss Hartin had given her version of what she said transpired.”

Her arraignment today was not without challenges. Around midday, the media was removed from the second floor of the building where the public court proceedings would later take place late this evening. We know that she is represented by Attorney Godfrey Smith and that up to news time; arguments were being heard as to whether or not bail should be granted to Hartin. Duane Moody for News Five.

At news time, the prosecutor and Hartin’s attorney were still before the judge discussing whether or not Jasmine Hartin should be given bail. Hartin is a mother of two children.