Former NHL player Adam Johnson passes away after cut to neck

[3rd liner]

I finally saw the video today as well after seeing the news the player was arrested. From the description I also had previously assumed it was a freak accident in a scrum, so never wanted to watch the video. I also didn't know anything about Petgrave, hard to get an objective account of him on social media, but sounds like he had quite a few PMs and a couple suspensions. Led the league in PM last year, I think? All character accounts of him seem to be from his friends, who will obviously stick up for the guy.
That aside, between that and the OHL video, I think he was trying to get the leg out to clip the other player- a dangerous play, even more so if you are raising your leg off the ice- that's a leg cut waiting to happen at the very least.
I can't ever imagine somebody would try and kick another guy in the neck with a skate.
If he truly got clipped, the leg would windmill out and flail, this looked more intentional. Not intentional to kill, but a reckless play with the leg up and a skate on it. Criminal charges for hockey plays are a slippery slope, given that you can sucker punch guys, ram them into the boards etc, with no legal repercussions other than a suspension or fine. But the description of involuntary manslaughter would fit this. Just awful for everybody involved- victim and the accused, friends and families.

[Zoller]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

I don't want to watch it. Not normally bothered by gruesome stuff, but I just don't want to try to unsee it.



Is this true? I understood it to be kind of a quick play, guy got hit, and skate came up. How was it unnatural? Not doubting you.



Shocked the guy was arrested.

Strange comment if you haven't seen the video.

It looks like he realizes he's going to miss the hit and throws out his leg as a way to interfere. But he clearly made a conscious decision to stick his leg out. It's just unfortunate how his leg rises up and gets the guy in the throat.

[Red_Baron]

For the lawyers on here, is there a difference between Criminal Negligence causing death and Manslaughter?

Would this fit the definition of Criminal Negligence better?

From Google (www.shouselaw.com): Criminal negligence refers to conduct in which a person ignores a known or obvious risk, or disregards the life and safety of others.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

For the lawyers on here, is there a difference between Criminal Negligence causing death and Manslaughter?

Would this fit the definition of Criminal Negligence better?

From Google (www.shouselaw.com): Criminal negligence refers to conduct in which a person ignores a known or obvious risk, or disregards the life and safety of others.

I don't believe Criminal Negligence causing death is a charge in the UK, they just wrap it all up under manslaughter

[bluejays]

We’re so jaded with hockey plays and suspensions taking care of justice here that we think outside courts shouldn’t get involved. I haven’t watched the video because I don’t need to see something like that so vile, but if the courts deem their time worthy to go through the process then so be it. If he’s vindicated it is what it is but I don’t think they should avoid charging for the reasons outlined here. Frankly some of the negligent plays where people are purposely injured should be charged criminally. We just chalk it up to league justice but it should be based on courts in these situations and not some league. It would also get people thinking about doing dumb stuff in the future.

[Abstract]

Criminal negligence here in the UK would be more of a corporate thing, like a hotel not having fire alarms or something so not really relatable to this case.

Also don't agree with the post earlier saying the UK will see this as thugs with blades. It's a reckless act, I 100% think he meant to stick his leg out and obstruct or impede the player but criminal charges don't sit well with me. It sets a precedent that could have huge ramifications for the sport. That being said, it does fit for involuntary manslaughter so I expect he'll be convicted.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Zoller

Strange comment if you haven't seen the video.

Not sure what you mean.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

For the lawyers on here, is there a difference between Criminal Negligence causing death and Manslaughter?

Would this fit the definition of Criminal Negligence better?

From Google (www.shouselaw.com): Criminal negligence refers to conduct in which a person ignores a known or obvious risk, or disregards the life and safety of others.

Guy in Canada cites US source for legal matters in the UK. Classic internet lawyering right there.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Any violent contact, a kick for instance, would be an assault in both the UK and Canada, except possibly in a martial arts contest where kicking was a specific part of the sport, a kick in a boxing match would be an assault, there is no way an intentional kick would be considered a consensual act in a hockey game either here or in the UK, the guy seems a lock for a manslaughter conviction

Consent gets muddy in contact sports where certain fouls are an expected part of the game. So an elbow in hockey, while not exactly consensual, is probably something a player agrees to risk. Otherwise, technically, a dirty play is a criminal act every time.

If the act is beyond the ordinary like kicking with blades on your feet, theres a much clearer case.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Abstract

Criminal negligence here in the UK would be more of a corporate thing, like a hotel not having fire alarms or something so not really relatable to this case.

Also don't agree with the post earlier saying the UK will see this as thugs with blades. It's a reckless act, I 100% think he meant to stick his leg out and obstruct or impede the player but criminal charges don't sit well with me. It sets a precedent that could have huge ramifications for the sport. That being said, it does fit for involuntary manslaughter so I expect he'll be convicted.

On the rare occasions I have discussed hockey with any of my mates in the UK they always see all hockey as thugs wearing knives, this seems mostly due to the UK league is pretty much a goon league

[Red_Baron]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Guy in Canada cites US source for legal matters in the UK. Classic internet lawyering right there.

Tell me what's different then. Is there a major departure between the two countries when it comes to the definition of criminal negligence?

Another poster did chime in to say that criminal negligence in the UK may not have a similar meaning to what is does in North America.

I was asking a question not stating a legal fact.