Man admits to theft of firearm later used in homicide in city

Jason Dustin Hotomanie came into court charged with manslaughter. He left a free man.

The 27-year-old Regina man had been accused of playing a role in the Oct. 22, 2015, death of Matthew John Wells. But, on Monday, he instead pleaded guilty to just one of several charges, admitting to being a party to the theft of the gun that killed Wells, 48. The manslaughter charge, along with several other related charges, was stayed.

Hotomanie was credited with six months remand and was handed a time-served sentence.

His remaining co-accused, Robert Brian Oochoo, also appeared at Regina Court of Queen’s Bench on Monday, but by video from the Saskatchewan Penitentiary where he is being held. Charged with second-degree murder, he is last of four males arrested following the events that left Wells dead. Court heard Oochoo was planning on entering pleas, but a paperwork error meant he wasn’t brought in. He will instead be in court on his charges on Friday.

Two males, both youths, previously pleaded guilty to various charges, one to manslaughter for which he received three years less remand credit — the maximum youth sentence for that offence.

Crown prosecutor Chris White said the four were members and prospective members of the Native Syndicate street gang when, on the date in question, the youths went “car shopping.” In digging through vehicles left unlocked or otherwise unsecured, the youths found a rifle with two high-capacity .22-calibre magazines inside a truck.

They returned with the adults shortly after and stole the weapon and ammo — leading to the theft charge against Hotomanie for being a party to the offence.

Court heard only approximately three hours had passed when the gun was used to kill Wells. It was then used in several other incidents over the course of a couple of days.

Because Hotomanie’s sentence was the product of a joint submission, defence lawyer Greg Wilson did not provide many details of his client’s background, other than to say he spent several years in foster care and lacks a significant employment history.

Hotomanie said he had “nothing to say” prior to Justice Ellen Gunn imposing sentence.