Judge waives arraignment for Atlanta Thrashers hockey star

<p>A judge has waived the arraignment for Atlanta Thrashers hockey star Dany Heatley, who was charged with vehicular homicide and five other charges in the 2003 wreck that claimed the life of a teammate.</p><p>Instead, Judge Rowland Barnes is allowing Heatley's lawyers to enter a not guilty plea in writing. Heatley's next court date is scheduled for late November.</p><p>Police say Heatley was driving his black Ferrari convertible between 60 and 90 mph on a curved road in a residential area when it ran into a brick pillar and iron fence on Sept. 29, 2003.</p><p>Dan Snyder, 25, died after six days in a coma, and Heatley broke his jaw and tore two ligaments in his knee. The Canadian citizen returned to play with the team in January.</p><p>Heatley was indicted July 16 by a Fulton County grand jury, charged with first- and second-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, driving too fast for conditions, failure to maintain his lane and speeding.</p><p>The prosecution, led by Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, is likely to suggest Heatley was driving recklessly when he crashed his high-powered 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider F.</p><p>The crash split Heatley's car in two and left the 25-year-old Snyder, of Elmira, Ontario, with fatal head injuries.</p><p>In total, Heatley faces a maximum of 20 years behind bars and fines totaling $5,000 if convicted on all six counts.</p>