Brittany Jno-Baptiste has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for the 2021 killing of 66-year-old Wendy Jane Finch, after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Justice Tunde Bakre, who presided over the case, ruled that her sentence will be reviewed after 25 years. Additionally, the approximately 3 years and 6 months she spent on remand will be deducted from her total prison term.

The sentencing follows repeated calls for justice from Finch’s family, who pushed for the maximum penalty under the law.

Jno-Baptiste, now 24, was initially charged with murder but later changed her plea to manslaughter, admitting responsibility and apologizing to Finch’s loved ones. Her attorney, Wendel Alexander, successfully argued that her mental state was significantly impaired at the time of the crime, leading the court to accept the reduced charge.

However, this argument did not sway the judge toward a lighter sentence. Alexander has since indicated his intention to appeal.

The court’s decision followed a psychiatric evaluation by Dr. Griffin Benjamin, Chief of Psychiatry at Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, on March 6 and 13, 2025.

In his report, Dr. Benjamin stated, “It is my opinion that Ms. Brittany JnoBaptiste is mentally competent and fit to be sentenced. I believe that he should continue to benefit from psychiatric care, and I expect that she will comply with medication treatment.”

The evaluation confirmed that Jno-Baptiste was mentally stable and showed no signs of active psychosis, delusions, or hallucinations. While she has a history of psychosis and substance abuse, including marijuana and cocaine use, she denied using any illegal substances during her three years in prison—despite reportedly having access while incarcerated. She is currently being treated with Aripiprazole, a medication for schizophrenia and mood disorders.

Dr. Benjamin also noted that Jno-Baptiste had been fully engaged with her therapist, was able to give a clear account of the events leading to her incarceration, and demonstrated an awareness of her current reality. However, he observed that she appeared “determined to associate her criminal actions with a state of mental disturbance and ongoing family conflicts”.

Prison officials reported that Jno-Baptiste maintained good hygiene, had positive interactions with inmates and officers, and received visits from family members—though she initially downplayed her relationship with them.

The fatal incident occurred on October 4, 2021, at Finch’s home in Piccadilly. An argument escalated after Jno-Baptiste was denied access to her phone. She later admitted to being under the influence of marijuana at the time and experiencing hallucinations.

A 2022 psychological evaluation by Dr. James King, then Clarevue’s principal psychiatrist, determined that Jno-Baptiste suffered from cannabis-related disorders, which influenced the court’s decision to accept the diminished responsibility defence.