The widow of the Belize police chief shot by Jasmine Hartin has broken her long-standing silence to berate the socialite over her “international PR campaign” to portray herself as a victim of the tragedy.
Romit Wilson, 39, who has three children with slain Chief Inspector Henry Jemmott, told the Mail her family has been “tormented” by Hartin’s prolific publicity following his death in May 2021.
The mother said she “wished” Hartin had thought of the officer’s children before doing numerous interviews and documentaries about the night she “accidentally” shot their father.
Ms Wilson, who has kept a dignified silence, spoke out after the 33-year-old Canadian released yet another statement complaining about her own ‘long and painful struggle’.
Hartin, the estranged partner of Andrew, the son of Lord Ashcroft, the Tory grandfather, appeared to be going back on her plea of guilty which was dramatically filed Tuesday at 11am ahead of her trial for negligent homicide.
Pictured: Henry Jemmott, Belize police chief who was shot Jasmin Hartin, with his family, widow Romit Wilson and children from left: Henry Jemmott III, Jemarie Jemmott, Keyannie Jemmott
Pictured: Jasmin Hartin outside the Supreme Court in Belize City on April 25, 2023. She was set to stand trial for negligent homicide
Released by Louisa Chiaramonte, who runs an advertising agency and is described as Hartin’s “PR manager,” the statement said the plea was “a decision dictated by emotion and made hastily.”
Despite a four-hour suspension followed by another 30-minute break, it claimed Hartin did not have “the expected time” to consult her Canadian lawyers.
But it said she believes it is “the best possible outcome for all parties”, adding: “Out of respect for Mr Jemmott’s family, this decision will ensure that the family is not forced to relive this horrific tragedy again.” experience.’
Ms Wilson, who was Supt Jemmott’s wife for 13 years, said she wished the socialite had thought of the family before her ‘PR’ efforts over the past two years.
She told the Mail: “I haven’t given any interviews to media houses since the day Henry was killed.
“I’ve focused on our kids, taking care of them and coping with our grief. I know, they say grief comes in waves, but ours has been constant.
“My children and I have had to endure Mrs. Hartin, in interview after interview, even in full length documentaries, telling details about that horrible night, details about her friendship with Henry, and even details about my relationship with Henry.
“Yesterday she said she pleaded guilty to not put us through the pain of a trial. I wish she had thought of that for her international PR campaign as well.’
The sister of Belize’s police chief, who was shot by Jasmine Hartin, said her family will continue its fight for justice as there is “no peace” in the socialite’s last minute plea of guilt. Pictured: Henry Jemmott and his sister Cherry
Hartin has admitted to shooting Chief Inspector Henry Jemmott (pictured) when his gun accidentally went off as she wielded it as they had drinks together on a pier in May 2021
Hartin, 33, burst into tears as she made her plea at the Supreme Court in Belize City
Ms Wilson added that she hopes Hartin will pay more attention to her children in the family’s forthcoming civil claim over the officer’s death.
The family’s attorney, Leslie Mendez, also criticized Hartin for trying to “create uncertainty” over her plea filed in the Supreme Court in Belize City.
Ms. Mendez said, “You cannot doubt the correctness of your IOU while insisting that you want the family to be at peace and healed.
“It is reprehensible to inject uncertainty into public discourse and the minds of his family when they want truth and justice.”
The family added that claims by Hartin’s defense that she had paid them compensation were false and that “no offers” had been made.
Their civil case will go to trial in Belize after Hartin was convicted on May 31, when she expected to escape from prison with only a fine.
Hartin, who has twins with the Andrew Ashcroft, has long maintained that the death of Supt Jemmott, whom she describes as “one of her dearest friends,” was a “terrible accident.”
Pictured: Lord Ashcroft’s son Andrew, 44, (left) and his former partner Jasmine Hartin (right)
While awaiting trial on bail, she has given several interviews, both in print and on camera, including speaking with Piers Morgan for Talk TV and Peter Van Sant of CBS for a special edition of 48 Hours.
She was also featured in the documentary One Bullet in Belize on Discovery+ and is rumored to be part of another new movie that has yet to air.
In her many interviews, she has described in graphic detail how she “accidentally” shot the officer as they were enjoying a late night drink on the pier at Mr. Ashcroft’s luxury hotel on Ambergris Caye.
Hartin said Supt Jemmott offered to teach her how to use the Glock 17 for protection after she was attacked at a party.
But she said the gun went off when she tried to hand him the magazine and a single bullet hit him in the head, causing his body to fall on top of her.
She described in detail on TalkTV how she “creeped” out from under the heavyset officer and remained covered in blood.
Hartin said there was a “loud bang” and then “Henry fell on top of me again…I could see blood and feel the blood.”
In the documentary One Bullet in Belize on Discovery+, she claimed that the officer told her he was separated from his long-term partner and asked her for a massage shortly before his death.
She said she rubbed his shoulder when he tried to get back in and asked her to give him the magazine she said was stuck.
Hartin said it failed as she struggled to remove it: “I don’t remember ever touching the trigger. Before I know it, the gun goes off.’