Sean Higgins to stand trial in deaths of Gaudreau brothers

Well, the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in a drunk driving crash has just appeared before a judge. And moments ago, we've learned when jury selection will begin for the trial of Sean Higgins. Action News Jersey correspondent Trish Hartman has been inside the courtroom and joins us live from Salem, New Jersey, with more on what played out today. Trish. Derek, this was the final hearing before that trial will get underway. So jury selection is scheduled to begin on December 1st. That's expected to take about two weeks, and then the trial is expected to begin the first week in January, right after the holidays. This was Sean Higgins' last chance to enter a guilty plea. He is choosing, though, to go to trial. I want to make sure you're clear that today we are proceeding to put your case on the trial list, and you've had an opportunity to discuss this with both your attorney, Mr. Kleinberger, as well as Mr. Patel. And you understand that right now, you are charged with a six-count indictment. The most serious counts of the indictment are for first-degree aggravated manslaughter. There are two separate counts of that. Once testimony gets underway in January, it's expected to take about a month. 45-year-old Higgins will stand trial early next year accused of hitting and killing brothers John and Matthew Goudreau while driving under the influence. He is charged with reckless driving, police saying he hit the brothers as they rode their bikes on a dark rural road in Salem County in August of 2024. Both of them were killed. It was the night before their sister's wedding. Today in court was about squaring away some final details, making final deadlines for the two sides to submit evidence. The defense asking for rough drafts of the crash reports made by state troopers and the state asking to see the defense's independent lab results on Higgins blood alcohol levels. A defense expert report questions the police reconstruction of the crash. The photos of the damage to the Jeep that Higgins was driving and the bikes were released as part of that report, so that's something new that we are seeing now. The defense's expert says that the location of the debris at the scene indicates that the point of impact did not happen where police say it did and that the Goudreau brothers were in the lane of travel when they were struck by the vehicle, not in the shoulder. Police have said that the brothers were not at fault here. Higgins is charged with vehicular homicide, DUI, two counts of aggravated manslaughter, and other charges. Now, Higgins has already rejected a plea offer that would have sentenced him to 35 years in prison. If he is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of more than 90 years in prison. For Live in Salem, New Jersey, it's Ms. Hartman, Channel 6, Fox 10 News. Trish, thank you.