COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – The driver accused of killing a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets and his brother appeared before a New Jersey judge Tuesday to enter a plea in the case against him.
Sean Higgins, of Woodstown, New Jersey, appeared in Salem County Superior Court for a post-indictment arraignment hearing, where a plea of not guilty was entered by council on his behalf. He is facing six charges, including vehicular homicide. You can see a report on the indictment in the video player above.
Defense lawyers waived the reading of the indictment and told the judge that a plea offer was made to Higgins on Dec. 23. The offer was that if Higgins pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter, the state would recommend a 15-year prison sentence on both counts, of which he would have to serve 25 1/2 years.
Formal charges filed in deaths of Gaudreau brothers
In addition, for pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a fatal accident, the state would have recommended a five-year sentence to be served consecutively…