Even if several Internet users accuse the player whose skate fatally slit an opponent’s throat during a game in the United Kingdom of being a murderer, criminal charges are unlikely to be filed under Canadian law, a Quebec lawyer said.
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“You have to be able to prove intent,” explains criminal lawyer Alexandra Longueville, who of course can only comment on a situation like this that would have occurred on Canadian soil.
Before speaking to Le Journal on Monday, she watched the video of the tragic event circulating on social networks.
During an Elite Ice Hockey League meeting on Saturday, the blade of Ontario’s Matt Petgrave of the Sheffield Steelers hit American Adam Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers. The former Pittsburgh Penguins died at the age of 29.
“There is a contact between two players and during the contact one of the two flies back like a good Quebecer and his skates rise and so another player comes from behind and the skate will hit him,” very unfortunately, between the helmet and the collar “, notes Me Longueville, who cannot recognize any intentional gesture.
Adam Johnson in the Pittsburgh Penguins jersey against the Minnesota Wild, October 2019. USA TODAY Sports
“I’ve never seen anyone bleed so much.”
An interpretation that confirms that of a journalist from the British newspaper The Guardian who observed the scene.
“There was a collision between two players who were in the blind spot. The Sheffield player [Petgrave] was undoubtedly knocked down and his skate landed in the air, slitting his throat [de son rival]. “I’ve never seen anyone bleed so much,” Christian Bennett said.
Given the video, Me Longueville does not believe criminal negligence causing death charges will be filed in Canada.
“If we cannot prove that this person acted in a significant departure from what a reasonable person would have done in the same circumstances, there is no crime,” she asserts.
“We need to evaluate the behavior of the person who caused the death and [se demander] Are we able to attribute a crime to this person? If the answer is no, we cannot proceed,” the lawyer continued.
I Alexandra Longueville (center foreground) in front of the Montreal courthouse. Archive photo, ROXANE TRUDEL
Police investigation
And it would be almost impossible to prove with the video alone that it was a case of homicide or murder, since there is neither intent nor awareness that the act could lead to death and it is not an illegal act under the law .
“In the context of a fight, I might have a different opinion,” warns the lawyer. The blows are carried out voluntarily, unlike what we see in the video, which is a contact during a fall,” analyzes Me Longueville.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed on Monday that an investigation was underway.
“Our officers remain on scene to investigate and our investigation into the circumstances continues,” authorities said, according to The Guardian.
“If there is a police investigation that shows otherwise, for example if we were able to obtain subsequent text messages from the hockey player who….” [écrit] to one of his friends and he says: “Have you seen? I hit him hard, it didn’t even show.” We’re on a different note [niveau]», Nuance Me Longueville.
Matt Petgrave while playing for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Junior League in 2012. Archive photo
Internet threats
Police also urged the public to “avoid speculation” as the wave of hate against Petgrave grows online.
“Why did he lift his leg in the air? Skates should be on the ground and not in the air. “It wasn’t a coincidence,” writes the user under the pseudonym @lookingup52.
“Literally a deliberate kick. The full video is absolutely heartbreaking to watch. This is premeditated murder,” said @UseCmnSensePlz.
Petgrave was also reportedly the target of death threats. The 31-year-old former Laval Rocket defender therefore decided to make his social media accounts private.
Honors
Since Saturday, numerous honors have been bestowed on Adam Johnson, who played in several leagues in the United States before flying to Sweden, Germany and England.
Fans notably left flowers, photos, candles and clothing in Panthers colors outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
His fiancée Ryan Wolfe shared these touching words on Instagram: “My sweet angel, I will miss you forever and I will love you forever.”
– In collaboration with Michaël Nguyen and the QMI Agency