Former DECREPIT BIRTH Guitarist Arrested On Child Molestation Charge

November 13, 2006

Santa Cruz, California-based death metallers DECREPIT BIRTH have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We feel that now is the time to come out publicly and let everyone know what happened in the situation of our ex-guitarist Mike Turner. Here is a bulletin from our local TV news station KSBW news:

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- A Soquel man has been arrested on charges of child molestation and sexual battery.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office officials said Michael Turner was arrested Friday and booked into the county jail with bail set at $450,000.

Investigators said Turner recorded himself on video inappropriately touching at least two children and sexually touching an unconscious adult.

Turner was also found to have hidden a camera in his bathroom, violating the privacy of several people, according to authorities.

Sheriff's officials said the investigation into the case continues and that there are believed to be more victims. [End of article]

"We are absolutely sickened at this, as we had no clue of the situation. This news has deeply troubled us over the past few days since we found out. We thought we knew Mike over the years but his deceptive ways just show us what a monster of a human he is. We trusted him and he violated people very close to us. We have no sympathy for him as we are all coping with the severity of this. It is hitting all of us on a deeply personal level.

"Our best wishes and prayers go out to the victims, and families that have been affected by this horrible crime. We will do all that we can to help the authorities press full charges against Mike, as we feel that he should receive the maximum penalty that the law will allow, even though that would never make up for what he did. We are asking that fans of DECREPIT BIRTH give us their support and understanding, and to not hold us responsible for his actions.

"Mike is not an original member of the band — he joined a couple of years back and never contributed to the musical aspect; he was basically a live guitarist.

"This is the worst thing that has happened to us over the 10 years that DECREPIT BIRTH has been a band. Our emotions are very twisted over this and all we can say is that we hope Mike Turner rots in prison forever."

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