TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Collin Jackman, also known as “Junior,” pleaded guilty, on Wednesday last, to the 2021 murder of 59-year-old Keith Richard Hohenkirk at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

The plea was entered before Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara.
Jackman, represented by attorney-at-law Madan Kissoon, is scheduled to return to court on November 19, 2025, for sentencing.

The prosecution team in the case comprises State Counsel Geneva Wills, State Counsel Christopher Belfield, and State Counsel Simran Gajraj.

According to the statement of agreed facts, the tragic incident occurred between October 23 and 24, 2021. Around a week prior, Jackman and others had planned to use a psychotropic substance known locally as “molly” to drug and rob Hohenkirk, an amputee.

On the night in question, the group met at the now deceased’s residence, consumed the drug, and drank Banko wine. An argument broke out during the gathering, escalating into a violent assault on Hohenkirk.

Jackman, along with others, restrained the victim by tying his hands and feet, gagging him with a rope, and stuffing a rag into his mouth. The convict then struck Hohenkirk three times to the face and head. Another man involved later applied handcuffs to Hohenkirk.

Following the assault, Jackman and his associates ransacked the house and shop, stealing money, snacks and drinks before leaving. Jackman and another accomplice later returned to retrieve the wine bottle and found Hohenkirk motionless and cold, but still proceeded to rob the shop again.

On the morning of October 24, 2021, police discovered Hohenkirk lying on his back with his hands and mouth bound, and the room in disarray. He was pronounced dead at the Leonora Cottage Hospital.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Nehaul Singh revealed blunt trauma to the head and neck, including subdural hemorrhage and neck injuries. The cause of death was recorded as a subdural hematoma resulting from blunt trauma to the neck.

Following his arrest on October 26, 2021, Jackman admitted in a caution statement that he had participated in the plan to drug and rob the now deceased man and had hit him.

During Wednesday’s court proceedings, Chief Justice Singh carefully ensured that Jackman fully understood the gravity of his plea. The proceedings began with the prosecution presenting the indictment for murder committed in the course of robbery.

Jackman confirmed his identity and understanding of the charges, stating unequivocally that he was pleading guilty. He also acknowledged that he understood he could have opted for a trial before a jury but voluntarily waived that right. The Chief Justice inquired whether Jackman was under the influence of any substances, to which he responded that he had not consumed drugs, alcohol, or medication in a long time.

Based on the agreed facts and Jackman’s admission, the court accepted the plea of guilty to felony murder, highlighting that the crime occurred in the course of a joint enterprise. Justice Singh subsequently ordered the preparation of a probation report and a psychiatric assessment for the accused, to be submitted on or before November 5, 2025.

Victim impact statements, as well as statements of aggravating and mitigating factors, are also to be laid before the court by the same date. The Chief Justice adjourned the matter to November 19, 2025, for sentencing. At that time, the court will consider all reports and determine an appropriate sentence for Jackman.

Attorney Kissoon confirmed that his client understood the potential maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment and voluntarily chose to plead guilty.