Tuschen man gets 18-year sentence for killing villager during robbery

Collin Jackman, a 24-year-old Tuschen resident better known as “Junior,” was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 years in prison, less the time he has already spent in custody, after he admitted to killing 59-year-old Keith Richard Hohenkirk during a robbery in 2021 at the victim’s home on the East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The sentence, imposed by Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara, came after Jackman formally pleaded guilty to felony murder. His Attorney, Madan Kissoon, appeared with him, while the State’s case was presented by State Counsel Geneva Wills, Christopher Belfield, and Simran Gajraj.
The court began its sentencing calculation at a 30-year starting point. One-third of that term was removed because Jackman chose to plead guilty at an early stage, and the sentence was further reduced after several other mitigating considerations were taken into account. The final figure settled at 18 years.
Plan to drug, rob victim
The facts of the case, which Jackman agreed were accurate, outlined that the killing occurred sometime between October 23 and 24, 2021. About a week before the fatal incident, Jackman and a group of accomplices devised a plan to drug and rob Hohenkirk, who was an amputee and therefore especially vulnerable. Their plan involved the use of a psychotropic substance known locally as molly. On the night they carried it out, the men gathered at Hohenkirk’s home, where they drank Banko wine together and the victim consumed the drug. Tensions escalated, and what began as an argument quickly erupted into violence. During the attack, the group restrained Hohenkirk by tying his hands and feet and gagging his mouth with a rope and rag. They beat him repeatedly about the face and head, and at some stage an accomplice placed handcuffs on him. The men then ransacked both his home and his small shop, taking snacks, beverages and money before leaving. Jackman and one other accomplice later returned to retrieve the wine bottle they had been drinking from. When they found the victim lying motionless and cold to the touch, they still continued to rob the shop again before they finally left the scene.

Police discovered Hohenkirk on the morning of October 24, 2021. He was found lying on his back, his hands secured and his mouth still bound. Ranks transported him to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination carried out by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh revealed significant blunt-force trauma to the head and neck, including a subdural haemorrhage and compression injuries. The official cause of death was recorded as a subdural haematoma brought on by blunt trauma to the neck.

Trial
Jackman was arrested two days later, on October 26. In a caution statement to investigators, he admitted that he participated in planning the robbery and that he assaulted the victim during the attack. Before the court accepted his guilty plea, Chief Justice Singh questioned Jackman carefully to ensure he understood the charge, the consequences of pleading guilty and the maximum sentence that could be imposed against him. Jackman confirmed his identity, said he had consumed no intoxicants prior to the hearing, acknowledged that he was giving up his right to a jury trial and assured the court that he fully understood the sentencing framework.
His attorney supported this and confirmed that his client was fully aware of the implications of the plea. The court then accepted the plea to felony murder, noting that the fatality occurred in the course of a joint robbery enterprise. Justice Singh had earlier ordered the preparation of a probation report, psychiatric assessment, victim impact statements and submissions addressing both mitigating and aggravating factors, all to be completed by November 5, 2025. With those matters addressed, the proceedings concluded on Wednesday with the imposition of the 18-year sentence, bringing the case to a close.