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Murder

UK Billionaire's Daughter-in-Law Charged in Police Superintendent's Death

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Jasmine Hartin, the daughter-in-law of British billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft, was denied bail at her arraignment Monday night, after being charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a police superintendent in Belize. The incident occurred when Hartin and the police superintendent, Henry Jemmott, were socializing on a dock in San Pedro, where they were drinking and a gunshot wound occurred, with the officer's body later found floating in the water with a bullet wound to the head.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jasmine Hartin, 32, has been charged with manslaughter by negligence in the shooting death of police superintendent Henry Jemmott in Belize.
  • The incident occurred on a dock in San Pedro, where Hartin and Jemmott were socializing and drinking, and a gunshot wound resulted in the officer's death.
  • Hartin was detained three days ago and has been denied bail, with her lawyer appealing to the Supreme Court.
  • Police alleged that Hartin and Jemmott were drinking and socializing when the death happened, and first responders found Hartin covered in blood, deeply distressed, and shaking.
  • Hartin claimed that she was giving Jemmott a shoulder massage when he asked her to hand over his service Glock pistol, which accidentally went off, resulting in his death.
  • The punishment for manslaughter in Belize can be up to 25 years in prison.
  • Although manslaughter by negligence is an eminently bailable offense, the police objected to bail in Hartin's case because she is a flight risk.
  • Hartin is married to Andrew Ashcroft, the youngest son of Lord Ashcroft, a former deputy chairman of Britain's Conservative Party and a major financial backer.

Statistics:

  • 25 years: The maximum punishment for manslaughter in Belize.
  • 32: The age of Jasmine Hartin.
  • 3 days: The duration of Hartin's detention before her bail was denied.
  • 25 years: The maximum prison sentence for manslaughter by negligence in Belize.
  • 1: The number of police superintendent killed in the incident.
  • 1: The number of Glock pistols allegedly involved in the incident.

Sources:

  • New York Post (https://nypost.com/2021/05/31/uk-billionaires-daughter-in-law-charged-in-death-of-top-belize-cop/)
  • ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/uk-magnates-daughter-law-charged-killing-belize-78011439)
  • 7 News Belize (https://www.facebook.com/7NewsBelize/posts/4404419149591816)

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