A Pine Hill man has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for the fatal stabbing of John Doe during a gathering in Shiprock, New Mexico, in 2023. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced the sentencing.
According to court documents, on July 31, 2023, Kirtie Cohoe, aged 48 and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, fatally stabbed John Doe at a relative's home in Shiprock. During an altercation in the kitchen, Cohoe lost self-control and attacked Doe with a knife.
After the incident, Cohoe fled on foot with the weapon. The Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations (NDCI) and the FBI found John Doe deceased at the scene with multiple stab wounds. Cohoe was later apprehended in nearby woods with blood on his clothing. The knife was recovered near Cohoe’s wallet, and DNA analysis linked him to the knife's handle. Cohoe admitted to causing John Doe's death.
Upon release from prison, Cohoe will face three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Meg Tomlinson and Mark Probasco are prosecuting.