By Latrishka Thomas
The murder trial of Brittany Jno Baptiste is set to conclude next week, with closing arguments expected to begin on Monday.
The case centres on the killing of 66-year-old Wendy Jane Finch on October 4, 2021 in her Picadilly home.
According to prosecution witnesses, the incident began with a disputed taxi ride. The driver testified that Jno Baptiste exhibited erratic behaviour and attempted to divert the journey to obtain cocaine.
Jno Baptiste, however, provided a different account, claiming she accompanied the driver to his home after he requested to have sex but she changed her mind and exited his vehicle in Piccadilly.
The sequence of events escalated when Jno Baptiste encountered Finch, who was sitting on her gallery. She requested to use a phone, which Finch reportedly refused.
Jno Baptiste admitted to returning to Finch’s home through an unlocked gallery door and stabbing the elderly woman with a pair of pliers found in the living room.
Pathologist Dr Lester Simon provided testimony about the victim’s injuries. He described extensive lacerations and puncture wounds, including a fatal injury to the left side of Finch’s skull that exposed brain matter. A crime scene investigator noted that the pliers was found in Finch’s ear upon arrival.
The defence’s strategy focuses on Jno Baptiste’s mental health. Diagnosed in 2022 with cannabis-use disorder and cannabis-induced psychotic disorder, she claimed to have been “seeing plenty ghosts and jumbie” at the time of the killing.
During her testimony, she apologised to Finch’s family and her parents for the “pain and disgrace” caused by her actions.
Psychiatric expert Dr James King provided context about Jno Baptiste’s mental state. He detailed a troubled past, including childhood bullying, potential learning disabilities, and early involvement in sex work.
Dr King testified that she developed a significant cannabis dependency, smoking seven to eight joints daily by age 18.
The psychiatrist recounted alarming incidents from her history, including claims that she had consumed a dead dog, eaten dog faeces, and attempted suicide.
During a psychiatric evaluation, Jno Baptiste reportedly told Dr King that a voice commanded her to “kill Finch and join Ras Freeman”.
Dr King explained that this specific psychotic condition is directly triggered by cannabis use, particularly strains with high THC levels.
The trial, taking place in the High Court before Justice Tundre Bakre, continues Monday morning, with the court expected to hear final arguments.
