British prosecutors have announced that the man previously arrested in connection with the death of former hockey player Adam Johnson will not face criminal charges. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Tuesday that the case against player Matt Petgrave will not proceed.
The tragic incident occurred on October 28, 2023, during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers. A collision on the ice resulted in Matt Petgrave`s skate fatally cutting Adam Johnson`s throat. Johnson passed away soon after, and Petgrave was subsequently arrested approximately two weeks later.
After a thorough and extensive investigation, which included Petgrave seeking crowdfunding for legal costs, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges. Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn issued a statement explaining the rationale.
“The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved. Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense and so there will not be a prosecution. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Adam Johnson was 29 years old when he died. He had previously played several seasons within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization at both the NHL and AHL levels. During his 13 NHL appearances, he recorded one goal and three assists.
