Supreme Court Bail Hearing for Jasmine Hartin Adjourned
Jasmine Hartin
Two days after she was charged with manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott in San Pedro, today Jasmine Hartin was back in the court. Her attorneys Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith and Hector Guerra appeared before Supreme Court Justice Herbert Lord while Hartin attended the bail application hearing via video link from the Belize Central Prison. But as quickly as the session started, it ended when Justice Lord adjourned the matter to next week. News Five’s Duane Moody was there and files this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
The bail hearing before Justice Herbert Lord this afternoon for the manslaughter by negligence case for Jasmine Hartin was adjourned to next week Wednesday, June ninth following the objection to bail by the Director of Public Prosecution, because the petitioner, or the accused is considered a flight risk.
Duane Moody
“The objection was made because it is considered that Miss Hartin is a flight risk.”
Shanice Lovell, Crown Counsel
“Yes…and we are going to be working on submissions and then the judge will hear the matter thereafter.”
Reporter
“That’s one Wednesday right the submissions will be heard?”
Shanice Lovell
Shanice Lovell
“Yes.”
Reporter
“What submissions will you be making to the judge?”
Shanice Lovell
“It’s in relation to her flight risk status.”
Reporter
“Do you consider her a serious flight risk?”
Shanice Lovell
“Yes we do.”
Henry Jemmott
Hartin was not brought to the courtroom, but instead attended the session via virtual link from the central prison in Hattieville. When he addressed the court, Justice Herbert Lord said that he was tasked by the Chief Justice to preside over the case. The judge ordered for full submissions in writing on the objection as well as case laws – be submitted by Friday, June fourth. Hartin’s legal team will then have to respond by June seventh before the bail hearing which will now be held at nine-thirty a.m., one week from today. When he exited the courtroom, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith’s comments were brief.
Godfrey Smith
Godfrey Smith, Attorney for Jasmine Hartin
“You all were in court; you all would have heard the judge, Justice Lord, express disapproval of the kind of media publicity he has seen attending this matter. Obviously, I have no intention of contributing to that. You would have heard what I’ve heard which is that the matter is adjourned. Why has it been adjourned, the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office filed a short statement, one sentence, saying we object to bail on the basis of flight risk with nothing further. The judge has said he wants full submissions, full developed arguments on that to be submitted by Friday. We are to respond on Monday and the matter will continue next week Wednesday. That is all I can say. Thank you very much….”
Justice Lord says that following the hearing, a decision will be handed down no later than June eleventh. Duane Moody for News Five.
