Jasmine Hartin Manslaughter Trial Over Shooting Death of Belize Cop Postponed Again: Here's Why

Canadian socialite Jasmine Hartin was scheduled to return to court for her manslaughter by negligence case over the shooting death of a Belize cop on Wednesday.

However, Hartin's attorney, Richard "Dickie" Bradley, told Breaking Belize News that the socialite failed to appear in a local court in San Pedro town since she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

To avoid the spread of COVID-19, Bradley said Hartin was not allowed to visit the police station to sign in daily as part of her bail conditions.

However, the lawyer noted that their camp is looking forward to mounting a "vigorous defense" with the assistance of two British attorneys, whom he confirmed contacted him.

Bradley said the court is expected to set a new hearing date. However, he noted that Hartin would likely face "civil liability" for the death of San Pedro Superintendent Henry Jemmott.

Aside from the manslaughter case, Hartin also faces charges of common assault and possession of an illegal drug.

Belizean authorities had accused the socialite of common assault for assaulting a hotel worker. They also added a charge of possession over a small quantity of cocaine found on her on the night she shot the Belize cop.

Jasmine Hartin is the estranged partner of Andrew Ashcroft, the son of British billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft.

Jasmine Hartin's Trial in Belize Court

Jasmine Hartin's last appearance in San Pedro Magistrate's Court for the manslaughter case was last December.

News 5 reported that the hearing was quickly adjourned due to a "file" not being forwarded to a prosecutor. The court then set the next hearing on February 16, when Hartin will be provided with the final disclosure.

In criminal law, "disclosure" refers to the process of exchanging information between the parties to prepare for legal proceedings. Police must provide all statements, documentary evidence, and exhibits gathered during their investigation.

The Canadian socialite earlier said that she believed that the file was not ready because "they need more time to finish designing whatever they are trying to create."

Henry Jemmott's family was also reportedly present in the court, and they sat across Hartin. Jemmott's sister said she was disappointed with the delay in the process.

At the time, the emotional sister told reporters that their family was leaving everything to God and believed that her brother would get justice.

Manslaughter Case of Jasmine Hartin Over the Shooting Death of a Belize Cop

Jasmine Hartin and Henry Jemmott had been reportedly long-time friends. The Belize cop was socializing and drinking with Hartin on a secluded area of a hotel pier before his death.

Jasmine Hartin earlier confessed to authorities that she was practicing loading a gun when it went off and fatally shot Jemmott on a pier last May 28.

Hartin said the Belize cop handed her his gun as they sat next to each other on the pier. He then asked Hartin to demonstrate her gun skills to see if they had improved.

Hartin noted that Jemmott told her to get a gun for her own personal protection after a random man harassed her.

The socialite said that while she was trying to eject the magazine clip, she struggled with it, and that was when the gun went off. Hartin said she had no idea that the gun still had a bullet.

She was detained before she was charged with manslaughter by negligence in connection with the officer's death. She then paid for her bail, which was set at 30,000 Belize dollars.

Jasmine Hartin was also ordered to surrender her passport and personal documents as she was not allowed to leave the country without permission from the Supreme Court.

The socialite has also been attending court hearings in connection with the custody battle against her ex-partner Andrew Ashcroft, who was granted interim custody of their young twins in July last year.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

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