Stunning development in Johnny Gaudreau murder case as new test results throw whole case into doubt
A defense attorney for the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew claims new results show his client was under the legal limit.
According to the New York Post, the legal team for Sean Higgins, 45, is seeking a full dismissal of the current charges following a review of the toxicology data.
Ex-NHL player Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died in August 2024 when they were struck by an SUV, allegedly driven by Higgins, while riding bicycles near their hometown in New Jersey on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.
State troopers, Mark Allonardo and Adam Crespo, later testified that they could detect the smell of alcohol on Higgins’ breath after arresting the 45-year-old. Higgins also allegedly claimed: ‘I’ve been drinking beers, but I haven’t had one in like two hours.’
However, according to Higgins’ lawyers, his blood alcohol concentration level was actually below the legal limit when he collided with the NHL star and his brother.
The motion was introduced Tuesday during a virtual hearing before Salem County Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio, marking a major shift in the ongoing trial.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew were killed after being struck while cycling
Bodycam footage showed the moment that Sean Higgins was arrested back in 2024
During the hearing, defense attorney Richard Klineburger revealed the development to the court following their expert’s findings.
‘It seems that it was plasma that was tested, not whole blood,’ Klineburger revealed. ‘Based upon our expert report, that brings the actual BAC reading down to .075’.
Previously, prosecutors had claimed that Higgins’ BAC reading was .087.
Klineburger later suggested that the previous reading ‘taints’ the indictment and said that alleged discrepancy could have ‘impacted the grand jury’ over their decision.
Prosecutor Michael Mestern said that he will now run the findings by his own team of experts. Should they find Higgins’ new claims to be true, then prosecutors will be able to try and get a new indictment against Higgins.
Higgins, 45, is expected to back in court on April 14th. Mestern will, likely, reveal whether his own team of experts agreed with the new BAC findings.
More to follow…
