British prosecutors have announced that the man arrested in connection with the tragic death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson will not face charges. According to the Associated Press, the case against Matt Petgrave will not proceed, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on October 28, 2023, during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers. An on-ice collision resulted in Petgrave`s skate blade making contact with Johnson`s throat, causing a severe injury. Adam Johnson sadly passed away a short time later. Matt Petgrave was subsequently arrested about two weeks following the incident.
After an extensive investigation, which included Petgrave receiving crowdfunding support for his legal expenses, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided against bringing criminal charges. Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn released a statement explaining the reasoning behind the decision.
“The CPS and South Yorkshire Police collaborated closely to determine if criminal charges were appropriate against the other player involved,” stated Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn. “Following a comprehensive police inquiry and a thorough review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded there is no realistic prospect of securing a conviction for any criminal offense. Therefore, no prosecution will take place. Our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Adam Johnson was 29 years old at the time of his death. He had previously played several seasons at both the NHL and AHL levels as part of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. During his NHL career, Johnson appeared in 13 games, recording one goal and three assists.
