Brittany Jno-Baptiste Sentenced to 27 Years for Manslaughter of Wendy Jane Finch
Brittany Jno Baptiste has received a 27-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 2021 death of a 66-year-old woman.
Jno-Baptiste was sentenced following emotional victim impact statements that created a somber atmosphere in the courtroom.
She had initially faced murder charges in connection with the death of Wendy Jane Finch, but her plea was reduced to manslaughter based on diminished responsibility.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on October 4, 2021, when Jno-Baptiste fatally attacked Finch in her Piccadilly home after being denied permission to use Finch’s phone.
Jno-Baptiste, who was reportedly under the influence of marijuana at the time, claimed she was not in her right mind and was experiencing hallucinations.
Pathologist Dr. Lester Simon testified during the trial that Finch died from head trauma and massive blood loss resulting from the attack.
Psychiatric testimony played a critical role in the case. Dr. King, who evaluated Jno-Baptiste in January 2022, diagnosed her with Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder, concluding she was incapable of understanding her actions during the incident. The psychiatrist noted that heavy cannabis use significantly increases psychosis risk.
Dr. King’s testimony detailed Jno-Baptiste’s troubled background, including being bullied in school and dropping out in third form. According to testimony, she had been diagnosed with Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as a teenager.
The court heard that Jno-Baptiste began sex work at a young age and developed a cannabis dependency, reportedly consuming seven to eight joints daily by age 18. Dr. King also described concerning behavioural episodes, including an incident where Jno-Baptiste stood staring at the sun for an extended period.
Further testimony revealed that during her mental evaluation, Jno-Baptiste told Dr. King those voices had commanded her to kill Finch.
She had previously worked at Ras Freeman, where her duties included cleaning cannabis.
The combination of these factors contributed to the court’s acceptance of her diminished responsibility defence, resulting in the reduction of charges from murder to manslaughter.
Jno-Baptiste was represented by Attorney Wendel Alexander.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/04/01/brittany-jno-baptiste-sentenced-to-27-years-for-manslaughter-of-wendy-jane-finch. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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Comments (14)
Tammy April 1, 2025, 3:45 PM
Anonymous April 1, 2025, 3:51 PM
Stone April 1, 2025, 4:16 PM
Em April 1, 2025, 8:34 PM
This news article is inaccurate at best.
There was a Facebook post from the deceased on the night she was attacked that clearly was her asking for help saying that someone was trying to break into her home.
The cab driver who took the murderer to the victim’s house knew something was wrong because she asked to be taken to this specific area, rather than her own home. She mean to rob the victim and was violent and made a choice to murder. This is not manslaughter. Your article goes on about voices making the murderer commit this crime, yet there’s no lead up info in this article to explain that she was even experiencing voices, you need to read your article before you post it!
Here’s the clunky part of the article that you didn’t bother to edit before posting:
“concerning behavioural episodes, including an incident where Jno-Baptiste stood staring at the sun for an extended period. Further testimony revealed that during her mental evaluation, Jno-Baptiste told Dr. King those voices had commanded her to kill Finch” Those voices? What voices? You never explain in the article.
Antigua Surf April 1, 2025, 4:23 PM
Juju Bee April 1, 2025, 5:50 PM
I would like to know what the mitigating and aggravating factors were.
So had it been murder she would have gotten 50 years?
No matter how many years though a family is left mourning
Rhea April 1, 2025, 6:07 PM
Devorn Carter April 1, 2025, 6:10 PM
Anonymous April 1, 2025, 9:53 PM
Chantel’s case is still brand new. Horrifying and scary but brand new and they have a fair few pathways to navigate before releasing any new information. It’s frustrating that in general we receive little information from the police and that we can all feel disservices but the color of peoples skin and the hurt and anger that their close ones feel does not differ in any way so hold your uneducated tongues .
Hallelujah Amen April 1, 2025, 6:13 PM
Curious April 1, 2025, 7:36 PM
Krayma Lewis April 1, 2025, 7:53 PM
Unruly One April 2, 2025, 3:42 AM
Anonymous April 2, 2025, 8:22 AM