Executive Summary
- John Kevin Hickman, 49, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on February 9 for the 2023 murder of Bobbie Louise Martin.
- Hickman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October 2025 regarding the death of his fiancée’s 72-year-old aunt.
- Assistant State’s Attorney Beverly Plutnick confirmed that the victim died from multiple stab wounds.
LEITERSBURG, Md. — A Maryland man was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Monday, February 9, for the 2023 murder of his fiancée’s aunt, concluding legal proceedings surrounding the violent incident. John Kevin Hickman, 49, received the sentence following a guilty plea entered late last year regarding the death of 72-year-old Bobbie Louise Martin.
According to the online case docket, Hickman appeared in court for sentencing after pleading guilty to second-degree murder on October 16, 2025. The charges stemmed from the death of Martin in July 2023. Authorities identified the victim as the aunt of Hickman’s fiancée, placing the crime within a domestic context.
During the sentencing hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Beverly Plutnick provided details regarding the nature of the crime. Plutnick stated that Martin’s death was caused by multiple stab wounds. The court accepted the plea and imposed the 35-year term, finalizing the judgment against the Leitersburg resident.
Judicial Resolution
This sentencing marks the final adjudication of the case, transitioning the matter from prosecution to corrections. In Maryland, second-degree murder charges apply to intentional killings that are not premeditated. The 35-year sentence reflects the court’s application of statutory guidelines to address the severity of the violent act while accounting for the defendant’s admission of guilt prior to trial.
