American Randy Blythe imprisoned in Czech republic. Posts bail, still imprisoned.

[Bhaalizmo]

Blythe (lead singer for Lamb of God) was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 27 and is facing manslaughter charges in connection with a 2010 Prague concert at which he allegedly shoved a local fan off the stage. The man, who is said to have stormed the stage three times during the show, reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage that resulted in his death nearly a month later.

Here's what is being touted as video of the alleged incident, with roadie commentary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgjXuD1LGPk

Randall "Randy" Blythe, 41, appeared in a Czech courtroom two weeks ago and posted nearly $200,000 in bail in the case, but has not yet been released. Today his bail was doubled to $400,000.

Here's a link to a petition on the White House website if you'd like to support this man.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/help-free-d-randall-blythe-prage-czech-republic-where-he-falsely-accused-commiting-manslaughter/3dsZD2Gd?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl

Politics aside, this is a sticky issue. At a metal show people are crowd surfing, moshing, and being tossed off stage as if it's a carnival ride. Prosecuting the lead singer of the band seems like a game of pin the charge on the nearest donkey. Denying his bail and doubling it seems like railroading.

Thoughts?

[Gelston]

I'd blame the security more than anything for letting the guy continuously get on the stage.

[Bhaalizmo]

I'd blame the security more than anything for letting the guy continuously get on the stage.

I would tend to agree. Additionally, in the wake of Darrell Abbott's onstage shooting in 2004, can you really blame metal acts for forcefully throwing fans into the audience when they storm the stage?

[g++]

I would tend to agree. Additionally, in the wake of Darrel Abbott's onstage shooting a few years back, can you really blame metal acts for forcefully throwing fans into the audience when they storm the stage?

I can see Prague's stance too though. I mean if I was an American wanted for man slaughter in Prague I would be the fuck out of there while they were still counting my money.

[Gelston]

I agree that they could consider him a flight risk.

[Bhaalizmo]

I agree that they could consider him a flight risk.

Yeah, that part I can agree with. It's the initial charges, and the accepting his bail money but keeping him imprisoned part that I disagree with. That and doubling the bail money two weeks after he payed it.

[Warriorbird]

Should appeal for EU pressure on them.

[Cxai]

Good luck getting the US government to intervene on his behalf. I've had experience with this -- they generally won't get involved.

[Latrinsorm]

Does he have any tattoos?

[Bhaalizmo]

Nope.

[Bhaalizmo]

If you care to invest more time in the story, here's video of the alleged incident(s).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgjXuD1LGPk

Video claims to show the deceased smacking his head into the bass player's instrument, and then being shoved headfirst to the floor by security. Neither the bass player nor security are accused.

[Showal]

I was really upset until I realized you didn't say Randy Jackson.

[diethx]

I can't say anything as to why the bail doubled, but the issue with originally having bail paid and then him not being released: the man who posted the $200k was the lead singer for All That Remains (Philip Labonte), and he actually told my husband on Twitter that he fucked up the paperwork and hadn't refiled yet. This was, I believe, about a week after the money was paid.

[Bhaalizmo]

I was really upset until I realized you didn't say Randy Jackson.

Woah, dog. Srsly?

[Bhaalizmo]

Posting the latest update(s) to this story because I'm following it.

7/20/2012

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe's Czech attorney Martin Radvan spoke to Radio Prague about the singer's arrest in Prague last month on manslaughter charges.

Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel Nosek — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.

In a closed session, which was originally scheduled for July 19 but took place earlier than planned, a panel of municipal judges reportedly dismissed the Prague State Attorney's Office complaint against Blythe's release on bail. In addition, the court increased Blythe's bail from $200,000 — which has already been paid — to $400,000, which is said to be equivalent to twice Randy's annual income.

"We are now waiting for his release because the band has already collected the additional 200,000 dollars, and only due to long travel time between the Prague Municipal Court and the court for Prague 8, we are still waiting," Radvan said. "Otherwise, he should have already been released."

When asked if Blythe will have to stay in the Czech Republic or if he will be allowed to leave the country upon his release from jail, Radvan said, "Everything indicates that he will be allowed to travel home. But he will have to come back either for further investigation or the trial, and that's what he wants to do. As a world-renowned artist, in a specific genre of music of course, he cannot afford to simply disappear. This is a wrong assumption by the Czech police and the Prague municipal prosecutor who still believe there is a possibility he will disappear and never show up again. But there would be posters with his picture all around the world, and if he wants to continue performing, he will have to return. And he wants to return because he believes he is not guilty of anything he has been charged with."

On the topic of why no one made any attempt to approach them after the incident — not even the police or the family members of the fan — in the two years following the concert in question, Radvan said, "I really don't know. Let me put it this way: nobody was expecting that, unfortunately, this young man Daniel Nosek would die a month after the concert. His father then spoke to the police who launched an investigation and called several witnesses who were at that concert. They also approached the U.S. Department Of Justice and asked them to take part in the investigation, which the department refused to do. Refusing to do so, they did not notify anyone from the band or the management, so no one really knew that investigation was underway, which I think is not something the U.S. Department Of Justice can be proud of.”

On how Randy Blythe is coping with being in jail and whether it's true that he is teaching his Mongolian cellmate English and picking up some Mongolian in return:

Radvan: "Randy Blythe is an intelligent man, he writes songs and now in jail, he has started writing a book. As regards his Mongolian 'neighbor,' Mr. Blythe is not really learning Mongolian from him all the time; we just bought the guy a book of Sudoku so that Randy has a little more time to do things he wants to do."

On whether Randy has complained about the conditions in jail:

Radvan: "Not at all. He says he is being treated in a fair way, and he has no complaints whatsoever about the guards or anybody in the Pankrác prison. He realizes he cannot do anything about the fact that the prison is old... it's not a place where he would like to spend more time, but well, that's how it is."

[Atlanteax]

Watched the video ... I'm not sure why the fan's (eventual) death was not chalked up to Darwin-reward behavior.

Looked like Randy Blythe just nudged him off with his knee too.

[Bhaalizmo]

Watched the video ... I'm not sure why the fan's (eventual) death was not chalked up to Darwin-reward behavior.

Looked like Randy Blythe just nudged him off with his knee too.

Yeah, assuming the video is of the actual incident(s) it seems clear that Randy himself wasn't responsible. Security would be my first choice, and/or bass player. Unless you can charge the actual bass guitar, in which case lock that fucking instrument up.

[Bhaalizmo]

LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 27 and is facing manslaughter charges in connection with a 2010 Prague concert at which he allegedly shoved a local fan off the stage. The man, who is said to have stormed the stage three times during the show, reportedly suffered a brain hemorrhage that resulted in his death nearly a month later.

Last week, the court doubled Blythe's bail from about $200,000 to about $400,000.

"[On Tuesday, July 24] the court published that they were upholding the $400,000 bail and Randy's release," LAMB OF GOD's manager, Larry Mazer, told WTVR-TV — the CBS television affiliate based in Richmond, Virginia — in an email. "The prosecutor appealed the $200,000. That appeal was turned down but the bail was raised to $400,000, which, as you know, we paid. But by Czech law, the prosecutor can challenge one more time, which he is doing and that starts the clock all over again."

Mazer did not give an expected time frame for Blythe's release, but he did say he doesn't think it will be within six days. The LAMB OF GOD tour is scheduled to start in Seattle, Washington on August 1.

An official announcement about the tour is expected tomorrow.

Blythe's Czech attorney Martin Radvan told Radio Prague that he expected Blythe to be able to travel home, but that the singer will have to return to the Czech Republic to face trial. "That's what he wants to do," Radvan said. "As a world-renowned artist, in a specific genre of music, of course, he cannot afford to simply disappear."

Radvan added that Randy's stature as a public figure makes it highly unlikely that he would disappear before the trial, saying, "There would be posters with his picture all around the world, and if he wants to continue performing, he will have to return. And he wants to return because he believes he is not guilty of anything he has been charged with."

Radvan said Blythe has been coping with his time in jail, continuing to write music and working on a book.

[4a6c1]

:X

[Bhaalizmo]

A Czech-language report from TV Nova on the start of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe's trial on charges of manslaughter in the death of a fan at a Prague concert can be seen below.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mABFl01ajcY&feature=player_embedded

Blythe is facing the possibility of conviction and a long-term jail sentence after a 2010 incident in which a fan, Daniel Nosek, attending a LAMB OF GOD show died almost a month later, allegedly from injuries sustained when he was thrown off the stage.

Blythe arrived in court this morning (Monday, February 4) about a quarter hour before the scheduled start time and was described by Blesk.cz as "unrecognizable" — sporting slick short hair and a "humble" expression. He did not address reporters before the court session and spoke only with his lawyer.

"And so it begins. I am calm and prepared," Randy wrote on his Instagram account. "Everyone, thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. Have a nice day, y'all!"

According to WTVR, Blythe gave a statement today in front of the three presiding judges (there are no jury trials in the Czech Republic), telling the court that he was a man of his word and had returned to face his charge, just as he promised he would.

"The death of a fan is heartbreaking," he said. "I'm not a man who runs from his problems, but I do not wish to be punished and suffer the consequences of an act I did not commit.

"I never saw Daniel and I never came in contact with him," he added in court.

Also testifying in court today were LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler and the band's manager, Larry Mazer, both of whom described Blythe as quiet and well read. They also explained that Blythe's aggressive stage persona was merely a part of the show.

The trial is expected to last until the end of the week. Tomorrow the court will hear from 12 witnesses who attended the concert.

The parents of Daniel Nosek are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

[Atlanteax]

Tomorrow the court will hear from 12 witnesses who attended the concert.

The parents of Daniel Nosek are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

Witnesses = "We were not Darwin Award candidates too"

Parents = "We refuse to believe that our son won a Darwin Award"

Seems to be a farce of a 'trial'. Hopefully the jury has some sense.

[AnticorRifling]

Witnesses = "We were not Darwin Award candidates too"

Parents = "We refuse to believe that our son won a Darwin Award"

Seems to be a farce of a 'trial'. Hopefully the jury has some sense.

There is no jury.

[Atlanteax]

Ahh I missed the (there are no jury trials in the Czech Republic) part ... okay, well then, I hope that the 3 presiding judges have *some* common sense.

Editted to add that the dude is probably borked, if the judges are elected (as goes the local system here) and the local population there has already rendered its own verdict. Shame.

[Bhaalizmo]

According to WTVR.com, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe will return to the U.S. this week after it was announced in a Czech Republic court his trial would be delayed.

Blythe's defense team asked for the delay because a key witness was sick, according to The Prague Post reporter Jonathan Crane who is helping cover the trial for WTVR.com. The defense team wanted that witness to testify in person.

Another witness is scheduled to testify Thursday, after which the trial will be postponed until March 4, Crane said.

The singer will be allowed to return to the U.S. until his trial resumes. He indicated in court that he would definitely return to Prague next month.

Blythe is 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.

The parents of the alleged victim, Daniel Nosek, are demanding compensation of 10 million Czech Koruna (approximately $530,000).

According to the The Prague Post, the court heard on Wednesday how LAMB OF GOD had sent a list of security demands to the concert venue, notably that barriers should be placed 1.5 meters from the stage. Presiding Judge Tomáš Kubovec noted that this wasn't the case. But promoter Tomáš Fiala told the court the band hadn't expressed any concerns to him, either before or after the gig.

Also today, Michal Pogoši, an expert medical witness, said Nosek's cause of death was pneumonia resulting from a blow to the brainstem, a part of the brain that sits on top of the spinal cord. He added the mortality rate from this kind of injury is around 40 percent, and that doctors couldn't have done more to save the patient.

[Zantras]

I wouldn't be shocked if he could just buy his way out of it in CZ.

[Latrinsorm]

And you can't trust a guy who spells Thomas with the h after the s. At least in America.

[Stanley Burrell]

Thoughts?

There can be only one. The Highlander was metal, man. The antithesis of all dildos.

[Bhaalizmo]

The ordeal is finally over for Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe.

A panel of judges in the Czech Republic ruled today (Tuesday, March 5) that concert promoters — not Blythe — were mainly responsible for the 2010 death of a teenage Lamb of God fan, adding that Blythe’s actions didn’t constitute a crime. The state attorney, who had sought a conviction for manslaughter and asked for the minimum sentence of five years, has appealed the decision.

Blythe didn’t face the press after the trial. However, before the trial, he had this to say:

“As I’ve stated previously, I do not wish to avoid my responsibility, and if I thought I were guilty I would plead guilty right now. I still believe I acted responsibly to protect myself, my band, our equipment and our audience. I did not strike anyone or run across the stage to push anyone.”

Blythe also posted the following comment via Instagram:

“I have been found not guilty & acquitted of all charges against me. I am a free man. This photo was taken by my friend @aceyslade- it says it all. Please remember the family of Daniel Nosek in your thoughts & prayers in this difficult time. I only wish for them peace. Thank you for your support- Randy”

[Tisket]

I just read a recent local news story about a Chinese exchange student who was driving up to 70 mph in a residential neighborhood, he crashed and killed the driver of another car, and injuring four others. He was charged with vehicular homicide and, because he was a foreign national and we have no extradition treaty with China, the bail was set at 2 million dollars. His family posted the full amount. Since he had no previous criminal history, he was set free. Although his passport was surrendered before they released him, I'm willing to bet, with that kind of family backing, that he manages to flee the country.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Mom-posts-2-million-to-free-Chinese-student-charged-in-deadly-crash-194676911.html