Lord Ashcroft’s daughter-in-law Jasmine Hartin was NOT having affair with married cop ‘she shot dead’, his family claims
THE daughter-in-law of British billionaire Lord Ashcroft was not having an affair with the married cop she allegedly shot dead, his family has claimed.
Henry Jemmott’s body was found floating in the sea near San Pedro, Belize, and Jasmine Hartin, 38, who had "blood on her arms and clothes," was then arrested.
Jemmott's sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul, told the that Hartin would be charged in connection with his death.
"I got a call. I was informed that she will be charged tomorrow, but they did not say what she was going to be charged with," Tzul said on Sunday.
The cop was shot while "drinking with Lord Ashcroft's daughter-in-law (and) had a head wound like an assassination," his sister said.
She added that her brother had known Hartin, but that there was "no romantic relationship at all," the reported.
Jemmott also ruled out the possibility that the officer committed suicide, saying: "My brother would never kill himself. He had a passion for life. He was a family man and always looked forward to being with his five children and fiancée."
According to , Hartin said that she was giving the superintendent a shoulder massage when he asked her to hand him his pistol.
She then alleged that the Glock accidentally went off and shot him in the back of the head, according to sources.
Hartin claims Jemmott then fell on her and she pushed him off, leading to his lifeless body falling from the pier to the water.
What we know so far:
- Henry Jemmott's lifeless body found floating near San Pedro, Belize.
- Jasmine Hartin was allegedly socializing with cop at the time of shooting.
- Hartin had "blood on her arms and clothes".
- Cop had head wound like an "assassination", sister says.
- Cops say Hartin will be "treated as killer" if she remains silent.
However, in another , Hartin suggested to first responders that the shot might have come from a passing boat.
Jemmott suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.
Following the arrest, police said the suspect would be "treated as a killer" if she remains silent.
Police said Hartin was "not helping" as they tried to investigate what happened.
"When she was detained last night she was not co-operating," Commissioner Chester Williams said.
"She stated that she needed to have her attorney present in order for her to say what she needs to say."
Hartin and Jemmott were supposedly friends, police said.
"From what we have been made to understand, they were drinking. From investigation, they were alone on the pier, and yes, they were both fully clothed," Williams said.
Hartin is being detained in a San Pedro jail.
Lord Ashcroft’s long-time lawyer, the nation’s former attorney general Godfrey Smith, was seen visiting the prison on Friday afternoon.
Lord Ashcroft, who lives in Belize but remains active in British politics, has not commented on the incident, according to .
Jemmott's sister, Cherry Jemmott, told that the killing seemed to be intentional.
She will be charged tomorrow, but they did not say what she was going to be charged with.
Jemmott's sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul
The Belize Police Commissioner now says that Ashcroft’s initial request to have her attorney present before she would speak with investigators raises a "red flag" and that without a further explanation, she will be "treated as the killer."
Henry's sister Cherry Jemmott, 48, told : "He had a gunshot behind his ear like an assassination.
"He is so skillful after 24 years [as an officer], he would never have left his guard down.
"He was a top cop. I don't know how he let down his guard to be shot with his own gun."
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams, who is heading the investigation, said: "The first person who arrived on the scene after the incident occurred said that she was in an emotional state.
"When she was detained last night she was not co-operating.
"She stated that she needed to have her attorney present in order for her to say what she needs to say, and it’s her right by virtue of the constitution, but that raises a red flag.
"The situation is such that it does require an explanation from her.
"In the absence of an explanation then she would have to be treated as the killer and we will proceed accordingly."
According to reports, Superintendent Jemmott's body was discovered in a dock area of San Pedro having been shot dead in the early hours of Friday morning.
'TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE'
The Commissioner added: "His body was recovered from the water. His weapon was recovered at the scene.
"The investigation is ongoing. It is too early to speculate but I can assure you that if any crime has been committed whoever did it will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
The married family man was found with a fatal wound behind his right ear - with his gun nearby.
Police said the couple knew each other socially in Belize, Central America, where Jasmine and husband Andrew head a luxury hotel company.
Andrew, 43, is the youngest of Lord Ashcroft's three children from his first marriage and is a citizen of Belize, where he lives and works with Jasmine.
Tributes have been paid to the officer - who was described as a well-known commander in Belize's largest city and port.
DEATH PROBE
Acting Commandant Commander Gregory Soberanis said of Jemmott: “His service to his department and country will not be forgotten.
"Today we mourn his loss, but honour is duty to service.
"On behalf of the Belize coast guard our deepest sympathies as we stand together with the police department in this time of bereavement.”
Commissioner Chester Williams said his team were focusing on whether the gun shot wound was self inflicted or caused by someone else.
He added: "We have to keep an open mind in the investigation. But there is no suggestion to say there is any third actor."
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.
The superintendent was taken to San Pedro clinic where he was found dead on arrival.
Post mortem results on Supt Jemmott were due last night. But the dead cop’s sister Jemmott Tzul told reporters she had already been told by a police pathologist he had been murdered.
She said she had spoken to her brother at 10pm on the night of his death, when he told her he was too tired to go out after a fishing trip.
'PASSION FOR LIFE'
Marie added: “My brother would never kill himself.
"He had a passion for life. He looked forward to being with his five children and his fiancee. My brother loved life.
"He had passion for his work. He did his work with integrity. My brother loved people."
She added: "I believe he was killed. The investigation can tell me otherwise, but I believe he was killed."
Hartin was in custody in a holding cell at the San Pedro police station jail - which one local described as "hell on earth."
He added: "She is a lady who is used to luxury. Whenever you see her she is always perfectly dressed, her children are always perfect.
";She is a nice lady, very polite and beautiful. I can’t imagine her in there. I have been inside that jail.
"The cell floors are made of dirt and the whole place smells of urine."
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Lord Ashcroft’s long-time lawyer, the nation’s former attorney general Godfrey Smith, was seen visiting the prison on Friday afternoon after flying in from mainland Belize.
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The shooting has stunned islanders who say the Ashcroft family has been part of the fabric of Belize – formally British Honduras – for generations.
Lord Ashcroft had not replied to requests for comment.