LAMB OF GOD Frontman Acquitted Of Manslaughter
March 5, 2013LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was found not guilty of manslaughter earlier today (Tuesday, March 5) by a panel of Czech judges in the concert death of one of the metal band's fans.
Blythe was facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a May 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, who attended a LAMB OF GOD performance in Prague, died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.
"I have been found not guilty and acquitted of all charges against me," Randy wrote on his Instagram account. "I am a free man.
"Please remember the family of Daniel Nosek in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. I only wish for them peace. Thank you for your support."
Tuesday's ruling by Prague's Municipal Court was confirmed by the court spokeswoman, Marketa Puci.
"We did not find criminal responsibility in the actions of the defendant," presiding judge Tomáš Kubovec said. "We found moral responsibility. There has been the death of a young man who had not been guilty of anything."
"The acquittal does not prevent the defendant, if he feels some moral responsibility, to enter negotiations with the family of the victim and act accordingly," the judge added.
The state prosecutors have announced their intention to appeal the verdict; they have eight days to put this in writing.
Randy's trial resumed yesterday (Monday, March 4) after court was adjourned last month due to missing witnesses (two expert witnesses – criminal psychologist/psychiatrist and a girl who attended the concert).
Kubovec said the opinions found in their reports were basically the same, according to WTVR.com. However, during testimony, they disagreed on how aggressive/anti-social Blythe is.
"I would like to thank the family of Daniel Nosek for not attacking me in the press and for their kind words to me in this court," Randy said in a statement to the court before the verdict was announced (see video below). "I am very sorry for their loss.
"Daniel was a fan of my band. I had no wish to harm him. He was just a boy and I wish he was still here.
"If, ultimately, the Czech legal system sentences me to prison, I will do my sentence like a man.
"If I am to remain free, I will do my best to insure that conditions at this concert will not occur again with my band and other bands so that the fans will remain safe.
"I have searched for an answer to this situation. The only one I can find is that it was a tragic, horrible accident."
Blythe was unaware of a warrant out for his arrest when he was detained last June after arriving at the Prague airport for a show with LAMB OF GOD. He spent five weeks in custody before being released on bail in August.
The parents of the alleged victim were demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).
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