Man accused of killing hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother pleads not guilty
The man accused of killing hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother has pleaded not guilty during a court hearing in New Jersey, reports TMZ.
Sean Higgins, the driver charged with hitting the brothers with his car, rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors, which carried a potential 35-year prison sentence. Following his refusal, it was announced that the case will proceed to trial.
Higgins faces six charges, including vehicular manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter. He is alleged to have struck the Gaudreau brothers, who were cycling at the time, in August.
Prosecutors claim Higgins was intoxicated during the incident. He is also accused of reckless driving and road rage.
Higgins’ attorneys argue that their client should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
“We believe that the facts of this case will reveal that this tragedy was not the result of any malfeasance but rather a combination of uniquely unfortunate circumstances unlikely to ever occur again,” the defense lawyers stated.
Yasmine Green
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
