THE FORMER daughter-in-law of British billionaire Lord Ashcroft was charged with the manslaughter of a policeman in Belize.
On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Jasmine Hartin pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting of Henry Jemmott.
Who is Jasmine Hartin?
Jasmine Hartin was the daughter-in-law of British billionaire Lord Ashcroft prior to her split from his son, Andrew Ashcroft.
The Canadian socialite was charged with manslaughter over the shooting of policeman Henry Jemmott in Belize.
Hartin and Andrew Ashcroft opened a resort in San Pedro.
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Who is Jasmine Hartin's husband Andrew Ashcroft?
Andrew is the youngest of Lord Ashcroft's three children.
Hartin and Andrew headed a luxury hotel in Belize where Andrew is a citizen.
Lord Ashcroft, who lives in Belize but remains active in British politics, did not immediately comment on the incident, the BBC reported.
What happened in Belize?
On May 28, 2021, Superintendent Jemmott's body was found floating in the sea near San Pedro.
Mother-of-two Hartin was allegedly giving Jemmott a shoulder massage when he had asked her to hand him his pistol, local media reported.
She then alleged that the Glock 17 handgun accidentally went off and shot him in the back of the head, sources said.
Ms. Jemmott Tzul said her brother had known Hartin but revealed there was no romantic relationship between the two amid reports that they were drinking alone on the pier before the shooting.
Jemmott suffered a single gunshot wound to the head and Hartin was reportedly "hysterical" when she was found at the scene of the shooting.
Police in Belize said that a single gunshot was heard — and officers then found the woman on the pier with "blood on her arms and her clothing."
Hartin and Jemmott were supposedly friends, police said.
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Hartin left a hotel she operated with her husband, Andrew, late on Thursday, May 27, 2021, and met up with Jemmott on the jetty, according to cops.
The pair were also apparently breaking the island's 10pm to 5am Covid curfew.
Family members said that Jemmott was a father of five and that he was heading for a promotion to senior superintendent with Belize Police.
What has Jasmine Hartin been charged with?
Hartin was charged with manslaughter and the punishment can be "life" in jail — up to 25 years.
The manslaughter by negligence charges came after Jemmott's body was found.
However, Hartin is facing a maximum of five years, DailyMail.com reported.
It was reported that the punishment could be just a fine of around $10,000.
Hartin was pictured behind bars on May 31, 2021.
Hartin's attorney, Godfrey Smith, told reporters after she was charged that her bail had been denied.
He said: "The charge is manslaughter by negligence. Bail has been denied. We appeal to the Supreme Court as is normal."
On April 25, 2023, Hartin plead guilty to manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of Jemmott, as reported by The Telegraph.
According to Channel 5 Belize, Hartin said outside of court: "I just want Henry’s family to have peace now and I want this whole thing behind all of us so we can heal."
The outlet also reported that the court's sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 31, 2023.
The New York Post stated: "On Tuesday, Judge Ricardo Sandcroft said he was unlikely to 'veer away' from a precedent that calls for a non-custodial sentence and a fine for a guilty plea to manslaughter by negligence."
However, the publication reported that during a previous hearing, Sandcroft told Hartin that he was “not bound” to the precedent.
