Attorneys for Sean M. Higginsthe person accused of killing hockey stars Johnny and Matthew Gaudreautry to have no less than a number of the expenses towards him dropped.
On Monday, February 23, Higgins’ attorneys filed a discover of movement to dismiss the fees “primarily based on a failure to current correct proof,” in response to The Athletic.
In December 2024, Higgins was indicted on two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular murder, one rely of tampering with bodily proof (fourth-degree) and leaving the scene of a deadly accident (second-degree).
Higgins, 45, allegedly struck and killed Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, whereas the brothers have been using bicycles in August 2024, the night time earlier than their sister Katie’s marriage ceremony.
Meredith Gaudreau penned an emotional letter about Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic demise practically a 12 months after he and his brother have been killed whereas biking collectively in New Jersey. “I used to be in shock. I used to be keeled over for days sick to my abdomen,” she wrote of the second she discovered Johnny had died within the letter, (…)
The movement to dismiss the fees is centered across the assortment of Higgins’ blood alcohol focus.
Based on data, Higgins’ blood alcohol stage was 0.087 p.c on the night time of the deadly incident, which is above the authorized restrict. Higgins admitted to ingesting whereas driving earlier than hitting Johnny and Matthew along with his Jeep and in addition failed a area sobriety check on website.
Nevertheless, Higgins’ attorneys argued that the blood alcohol testing was performed on his plasma, not his blood, which resulted in a better proportion.
The attorneys cited an knowledgeable’s evaluation, who decided Higgins’ blood alcohol content material was truly 0.075 p.c, beneath the authorized restrict for driving.
Sean Higgins
Courtesy of Salem County Sheriff’s WorkplaceProtection legal professional Richard F. Klineburger requested to dismiss the fees to “err on the aspect of warning” however acknowledged {that a} dismissal “won’t apply” to all the expenses towards Higgins.
Assistant prosecutor Michael Mestern stated he’d must evaluate the protection’s movement and meet with the state’s personal knowledgeable on how precisely the blood testing was performed earlier than making any choices about how the case will proceed.
Higgins’s attorneys additionally revealed that they’ve offered a counter to a earlier plea supply provided to their shopper, although specifics weren’t disclosed.
In January 2025, Higgins turned down a suggestion that might have seen him spend 35 years in jail if he pleaded responsible.
Higgins’ subsequent court docket date is scheduled for April 14.
The case replace comes on the heels of Johnny being honored by the Crew USA males’s hockey staff after profitable gold on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
The Crew USA males’s hockey staff felt Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s spirits once they took house the gold on the 2026 Winter Olympics. “Johnny and Matty ought to be right here and that’s nonetheless the largest loss that every one of us at USA hockey, their households (and) our household, has gone by,” Dylan Larkin advised reporters (…)
Previous to his demise, Johnny was thought of shoo-in for the American squad in Italy, the primary time in over a decade that NHL gamers have been permitted to play within the Olympics.
After Crew USA defeated Crew Canada within the gold-medal recreation on Sunday, February 22, members of the staff skated across the rink holding his jersey.
Throughout a celebratory staff picture, the staff welcomed two of Johnny’s kids — daughter Noah3, and son Johnny2, — onto the ice. Johnny’s spouse, Meredith Gaudreaugave delivery to the couple’s third child, son Carterafter his demise in April 2025.
“It meant the world to me,” Meredith stated throughout an look on Fox & Pals on Wednesday. “I actually am so grateful to those guys for being actually nice pals, actually nice teammates. Simply to incorporate our children and honor John the way in which they do, it’s all I can ask for proper now. I believe John can be very flattered, very humbled. It’s simply actually, actually heartwarming that they present him that a lot respect and proceed to do this stuff. It’s very touching.”