Former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Senior Counsel George H.R. Jackman has died. Jackman, who was in his mid 80s, passed away on Thursday evening in Freeport, New Jersey.

After joining the Chambers of the DPP as a temporary state counsel in December 1966, Jackman rose through the ranks and was appointed acting DPP in 1984. He was later appointed DPP in 1985 and retained the post until he retired in 1992.

Jackman received the ‘Silk’ some time during the 1980s. He was also awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), the country’s third highest award.

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang said he had the privilege of serving under Jackman from 1978 until 1992, when Jackman retired. According to Justice Chang, Jackman had “a step by step approach”, where he would analyse issues from the very beginning.

“He was no doubt a tenacious prosecutor and for some he was too tenacious,” Justice Chang said.

“If an area of the law was grey, he would put it before the courts for them to determine black from white.”

Justice Chang said in this way, Jackman was able have the court clarify several legal issues. Justice Chang said after Jackman retired in 1992, he remained in Guyana and conducted a private practice.