The sentencing of Jasmine Hartin in the case of manslaughter by the negligence of Henry Jemmott is fast approaching.
7News was live from the Supreme Court last month when Hartin pleaded guilty to that charge, and if you'd hear her representation tell it, she did so to spare the Jemmott family the further pain of a trial.
Still, her detractors might say she chose the easier path for fear of what could have surfaced had the case gone to trial those fears could have included not just her ex, Andrew Ashcroft who was determined to take the stand but the minute detail that could be provided by a gun expert about the trajectory of the bullet that famously hit Sr. Supt Henry Jemmot right behind the ear.
And, while the public at large and the officer's still grieving family wait for the outcome of Hartin's sentencing our news director got Commissioner of Police Chester Williams to weigh in on what's ahead and his feelings on a possible non-custodial sentence for Jasmine Hartin.
Jules Vasquez:
"Jasmine Hartin recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of Henry Jemmott and all indications are that she will not receive a custodial sentence, she may be fined. How do you feel about this, a man's life is gone for no good reason and the person who did it won't spend, may not likely spend a day in jail."
Chester Williams, Commissioner Of Police
"Well, I do have my own feelings about it but it's not about my feeling and what I would want and I don't want to pre-empt the sentence that the judge may impose when the time comes. But certainly, there are going to be arguments from both sides: the prosecution and the defence, one arguing why there should be an imprisonment sentence and one arguing why there should not be one. The judge is going to look at both arguments and they will be guided by case laws because the court does work on precedence and will look at what the punishment for similar type crimes had been over time and then based on that the judge will determine the sentence. So, I don't know at this time if there is going to be a sentence of imprisonment or a fine and so I will just leave it at that and don't pre-empt anything."
Jules Vasquez:
"But would you be disappointed if the person who killed your friend and your colleague, Henry Jemmott, did not serve a day in jail?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner Of Police
"Certainly, Yes."
Hartin's sentencing is set to take place on May 31st. 3 days shy of 2 years to the day that Henry Jemmott was killed.
