The New Jersey man suspected of driving drunk within the crash that killed Columbus Blue Jackets ahead Johnny Gaudreau and his youthful brother pleaded not responsible to 6 costs on Tuesday.
Sean Higgins, 44, entered the plea at a listening to in Salem County, N.J., the place the brothers have been using bikes on the night of Aug. 29 once they have been struck and killed. Higgins, who has been in custody since his arrest, additionally rejected a plea deal that may have despatched him to jail for 35 years.
The fees he faces embody reckless vehicular murder and aggravated manslaughter. If convicted, he may withstand 30 years in jail for every of the vehicular manslaughter counts alone.
Higgins is alleged to have hit Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, as he drove his Jeep to the suitable of the automobile in entrance of him in an try and cross it alongside a rural highway in Oldsman Township. The brothers have been declared lifeless on the scene.
In courtroom Tuesday throughout the transient listening to have been the Gaudreaus’ mother and father and sisters. The boys have been on the town to function groomsmen within the wedding ceremony of their youngest sister, Katie, the next day. The marriage was postponed till this upcoming summer time.
Simply after Christmas, Madeline Gaudreau — Matthew’s widow — introduced the start of their first youngster, Tripp Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny’s widow, Meredith, introduced on the brothers’ funeral that she is anticipating their third youngster.
The following listening to within the case was scheduled for Feb. 4, at which level Higgins’ lawyer is predicted to maneuver to dismiss a few of the costs and ban some proof from trial. Higgins will stay in custody.
–Discipline Stage Media