The High Court has accepted a reduced plea of manslaughter in the case of Brittany Jno-Baptiste, a 24-year-old accused of killing 66-year-old Wendy Jane Finch three years ago.

Jno-Baptiste initially pleaded not guilty to murder, with her defence arguing that she lacked mental capacity at the time of the incident. However, she changed her plea last week, admitting to killing Finch and offering an apology to the victim’s family and friends.

This morning, during what was expected to be the closing arguments in the murder trial, Jno-Baptiste’s attorney, Wendel Alexander, petitioned the court to amend the charge to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

“I have examined various defences, including insanity under the McNaughton rules, and diminished responsibility,” Alexander argued. The McNaughton rules state: “Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, because of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that he is doing what is either wrong or contrary to the law.”

Under Chapter 300 of the Antigua & Barbuda Offences Against the Person Act, a defendant may be convicted of manslaughter instead of murder if they suffered from an “abnormality of mind” that substantially impaired their mental responsibility at the time of the act.

Alexander explained that diminished responsibility differs significantly from insanity. “For murder, one essential element is that the defendant must be of sound mind and discretion. If this is not proven, the person should not be found guilty of murder,” he noted.

He highlighted potential jury confusion, which allows a verdict of not guilty because of insanity but also permits convictions for manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. “A guilty verdict by reason of insanity gives the judge limited sentencing options. The defendant could be detained at Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital indefinitely at the Governor General’s pleasure,” Alexander explained. Conversely, a manslaughter conviction allows for a definitive prison sentence with rehabilitative opportunities.

Justice Tunde Bakre accepted the amended plea, which was endorsed by both the prosecution and the jury. Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2025, pending a social inquiry report.

Finch was killed in her Piccadilly home on October 4, 2021. Jno-Baptiste reportedly became enraged when Finch refused her request to use her phone late that night. During her statement, Jno-Baptiste admitted to being under the influence of marijuana at the time, claiming she was “not in [her] right head” and experiencing hallucinations of “ghosts and jumbies.”

A diagnosis by clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. James King in 2022 played a pivotal role in the case. Dr. King determined that Jno-Baptiste suffered from cannabis-related disorders, which contributed to the court’s decision to accept her diminished responsibility defence.