By Elesha George
For the first time since her trial began, Brittany Jno-Baptiste has admitted to murdering 66-year-old Wendy Jane Finch inside her Picadilly home on October 4, 2021.
Jno-Baptiste, who has listened to days of testimony against her from the defendant’s dock, finally addressed the court, apologizing for taking Finch’s life after the elderly woman refused her request to make a phone call late that night. “I apologise to Mrs. Finch’s family and friends for the pain I’ve caused them,” she said. Jno-Baptiste also expressed remorse to the court and to her parents for the “pain and disgrace” her actions had brought into their lives.
The now 24 year old, who in 2022 was diagnosed with cannabis-use disorder and cannabis-induced psychotic disorder, said she had been “seeing plenty ghosts and jumbie”.
During an interview with police, which was played in court on Wednesday, Jno-Baptiste admitted that she “was not in her right head” at the time of the killing. “I didn’t mean to do it. I am very sorry,” she said during the recording, describing her mental state as “going off”.
What happened on the night of the murder
According to court documents, Jno-Baptiste had hitched a ride with a taxi driver she recognized but had never spoken to before. She told him she needed a ride to her home in Old Road. However, during the journey, she said he propositioned her for sex. The driver denied this claim, testifying that Jno-Baptiste exhibited erratic behaviour and even attempted to divert the ride to obtain cocaine. He claimed he didn’t drive her to Old Road because of the 8pm Covid-19 curfew.
Jno-Baptiste, however, said she accompanied the driver to his Picadilly home but changed her mind about having sex. She lied, telling him someone was waiting for her nearby, and walked off.
While walking, she encountered Finch, who was sitting on her gallery. “I walked in and said goodnight, Mrs, can I please get a phone call? She said no, go ahead. She scared me off,” Jno-Baptiste told the court, adding that Finch appeared frightened.
Jno-Baptiste admitted she initially left but returned shortly after, entering Finch’s home through the unlocked gallery door. She recounted stabbing Finch in the head with a pair of pliers she found on a table in the living room. “As soon as I finished, the police reached,” she told officers.
Medical Evidence
Pathologist Dr Lester Simon, who stood as an expert witness, previously testified that Finch died from head trauma and massive blood loss caused by the attack. He described the fatal injuries as the result of “tremendous force,” noting extensive lacerations and puncture wounds to Finch’s chin, lips, and the left side of her face. Dr. Simon’s testimony also revealed a puncture wound to the left side of Finch’s skull, which fractured the bone and exposed brain matter—an injury he said could only have been caused by extreme force.
Finch was found lying in a pool of blood with no vital signs. A paramedic at the scene described observing an avulsion on Finch’s left cheek, where a piece of skin had torn away but remained attached, forming a flap.
Insanity Defence
Ahead of last week’s trial, Jno-Baptiste pleaded not guilty with her lawyer arguing mental insanity. In the police interview played in court, Jno-Baptiste said she had smoked “5 joints” (marijuana cigarettes) while at work. She worked briefly at Ras Freeman Tour “cleaning weed”. “While I cleaning, I smoking,” she noted.
The defence is set to present its case today at 10am, with attorney Wendel Alexander recalling clinical and forensic psychologist Dr James King as a key witness. Dr King, who diagnosed Jno-Baptiste’s cannabis-related disorders, will review the procedures used in his evaluation of the accused. Alexander, whose case hinges of mental insanity, told the court that the doctor’s evidence is critical in the matter.
