LONDON — One year has passed since the tragic death of American hockey player Adam Johnson, who lost his life after a skate accidentally cut his neck during a match in Sheffield, England. As inquiries continue, a man remains under investigation for manslaughter following his arrest in connection with the incident. Thousands of spectators witnessed the horrific collision on October 28, and although there is video evidence available, officials have yet to announce any charges.
There can be several reasons for the delay in charging decisions, ranging from lengthy digital forensic investigations to the challenges in establishing criminal liability in such “on-the-ball” scenarios.
The incident unfolded during a game between Johnson’s team, the Nottingham Panthers, and the Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League’s cup competition. At the time, the Steelers were leading 2-1 in the second period. Johnson, a forward who had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins, made a move into the Steelers’ defensive area when he collided with defenseman Matt Petgrave, who was skating toward him. As Petgrave fell, his left skate came up, resulting in a fatal cut to Johnson’s neck. Johnson, who was 29 and hailed from Minnesota, was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to a local hospital. The Panthers described the incident as a tragic accident.
On November 14, South Yorkshire police arrested a man in connection with the case but have not disclosed his identity or age. He was released on bail the following day but has undergone multiple “re-bail” processes as the investigation remains active. In British law, an arrest marks the initiation of an investigation, and subsequent decisions regarding charges come afterward.
Delays in the investigation have been a point of concern, particularly regarding the assessment of the suspect’s intent. This typically involves interviews and a thorough examination of digital devices, a process that is often time-consuming. A criminal defense attorney noted that the British legal system is experiencing significant delays due to backlog issues, with many cases taking over a year to progress because of pending digital reviews. Reports indicate that there are around 25,000 devices waiting to be analyzed by authorities.
Lawyers reference a 2004 ruling that overturned the conviction of an amateur soccer player for grievous bodily harm involving an on-the-ball tackle. The court indicated that criminal prosecution should be limited to behaviors that are considerably serious, especially in the context of high-stakes sports where physical confrontations can happen impulsively. Various factors, including the nature of the sport, the level of play, and the defendant’s mindset, are crucial in determining if conduct exceeded acceptable limits.
Historically, prosecutions have been more prevalent in “off-the-ball” incidents such as punches or head-butts, while “on-the-ball” cases, like one involving a rugby player left partially paralyzed, have typically been addressed in civil court, rather than criminally. In that case, the court identified that the rugby player’s actions were influenced by prior interactions during the match.
Johnson’s case falls under the realm of involuntary manslaughter, which hinges on whether there was an unlawful act or negligence involved, without needing to establish intent to kill. The distinction is notable, as gross negligence manslaughter necessitates proving a breach of duty of care that resulted in another’s death. The lack of a neck guard on Johnson could play a critical role in the prosecution’s difficulty, as the defendant’s obligation regarding safety equipment may be complex to assess.
In a preventive measure, South Yorkshire coroner Tanyka Rawden called for mandatory neck guards for hockey players, expressing concern that further fatalities could occur without such protections. The coroner’s inquest, which was paused in January due to the ongoing police inquiry, will eventually evaluate whether a neck guard might have been able to prevent Johnson’s tragic fate.
Meanwhile, Britain’s top hockey league instituted mandatory neck guards starting January 1, two months post-Johnson’s death.
Looking ahead, the next significant date is November 11, when the man under investigation will likely face another bail review. Petgrave, now 32 years old, has not issued any public comments regarding the incident, and the police have maintained their silence as well.
In observance of the one-year anniversary, teams across the league commemorated the occasion by holding a moment of applause for 47 seconds before their games over the weekend. Additionally, the Nottingham Panthers are preparing to retire Johnson’s jersey number 47 in a ceremony scheduled for December 14.