Co-Workers of Late Hermelinda Pinks Tell Story of Strained Marriage

Hermelinda Pinks, the slain wife of Jason Emmanuel, by all accounts was a woman of tremendous strength and fortitude. At the Coast Guard headquarters on the Western Highway where she worked as a supervisor, co-workers are attempting to come to terms with her shooting death on Saturday morning at the hands of her husband at their Rose Lane house.  Though the shaky relationship with her husband was known to them, her killing has left an irreparable void. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Hermelinda Pinks

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The standard flown at half-mast is a distinction reserved for officers in uniform.  Today, that coast guard flag is lowered in honor of Hermelinda Pinks, a civilian supervisor who lost her life over the weekend.  Despite not having served in the armed forces, Linda is remembered by her colleagues as someone whose profound impact on the job will always remain with them.

Elton Bennett, Vice-Commandant, BCG

“For us, Mrs. Emmanuel was a part of this organization and she deserves the same respect and honor as any member of this organization.  The commandant gave a directive for the flag to be flown at half-mast at all coast guard installations until the funeral.”

Elton Bennett

Inside her office, a memorial has been put together at her desk.  That floral arrangement at the workstation replaces a bouquet she received from her husband a week ago for Valentine’s Day.  It’s one of many ironies that describe their tumultuous relationship.

Elton Bennett

“We have lit a candle at her office and we’ve placed a bow at the entrance to her office, at the door, just to keep us in touch and to keep her memory, at this, time alive.”

As previously mentioned by Pinks’ family, there were no physical signs of abuse on Linda.  What she endured, by their account, may have been another form of mistreatment.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Attorney-at-law

“What is emotional or psychological abuse?  It means a pattern of behavior of any kind, the purpose of which is to undermine the emotional or mental wellbeing of the person. If that can help us now to focus the light on saying to people, try to get help.  The law is there to assist.”

While Jason Emmanuel’s coworkers at the Department of General Sales Tax were oblivious to what was taking place in his private life, the same cannot be said about Linda’s workmates at the coast guard headquarters.  For Commander Elton Bennett, who knew the husband and wife couple fairly well, the tell had been there all along.

Jason Emmanuel

Elton Bennett

“There were signs that they were experiencing problems and as far as we are aware, she went through counseling, through marriage counseling to save the marriage and from what we are aware, they had issues.  There was a separation at some point and they came back together and things were looking up.  On Valentine’s Day he sent flowers for her.  She had flowers on her desk sent from Jason Emmanuel and we smiled and said, “Yup, things are looking good.”

That optimism, sadly, was fleeting.  Less than three days later, Hermelinda and Jason would both lay dead inside their apartment on Rose Lane, victims of a murder/suicide.  The grave misfortune that has befallen both families has once again returned to public attention the pervasive issue of domestic abuse.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“Abuse doesn’t only have to be physical.  If somebody doesn’t display signs of physical abuse, that does not mean that they have not been abused.  Now, in Belize, people in high, middle and low places perpetrate and are victims of domestic violence. Why do we have a domestic violence act?  So that people can have recourse to the law, to try to seek help when these kinds of things are happening.”

The actions taken by Jason Emmanuel in killing his wife, before turning the handgun on himself, are not to be condoned.  His childhood friend with whom he grew up on Toledo Street in Belmopan is firm in condemning spousal abuse.

Elton Bennett

“We strongly condemn the actions taken by Jason Emmanuel towards his wife.  Not only was she a member of this organization, but we do believe that as men we need to step to the forefront and look out for our women, not only in the workplace, but family members.  You’re a brother, you’re an uncle, you’re a father.  It is your responsibility to look out for women and to stand up and condemn any action of domestic violence.  Quite often we put the onus on a woman to walk out of a relationship, but as men we need to stand firm as well and put it out there to your friends, to your neighbors and intervene, as a man, whenever there is a case of domestic violence because this is what it leads to.”

Reporting for news five, I am Isani Cayetano.