Lamb of God's Randy Blythe Says He Is Free But Not Happy
Posted by Joseph Lee on 03.08.2013
A fan still died...
NME reports that Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe has released a short statement after his acquittal on the charge of manslaughter in a Czech Republic court earlier this week.
He said: "I am leaving Prague. I hope not to return for a while."
He was accused of causing injuries to Daniel Nosek, who jumped onstage in 2010 and eventually fell after a brawl and hit his head on the concrete floor below. He later died as a result of his injuries. Blythe was originally arrested on June 27, 2012 at Prague airport over the May 24, 2010 show at Club Abaton. He was in jail for 38 days before being released on August 3. He denied the charges and pleaded not guilty in court on February 4 this year.
There are now more details from the trial, including what Blythe said about Nosek. During his final courtroom appearance, he said: "[Daniel] was a fan of my band. He was just a boy, and I wish he was still here."
He then revealed the news of his acquittal on Instagram with a photo that had him standing under a sign that said, "Just Go Home". He wrote a caption that read: "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."
The prosecution plans to appeal the verdict and Nosek's family could still go after Lamb of God or the concert promoters in a civil lawsuit. Blythe said he met with the family after the verdict. He added: "All I will say about that is that they were very kind to me and displayed the utmost strength and class, and wished me a good life. I wish them only the best, and will keep them in my thoughts and prayers… this family did no wrong, and have shown me great kindness."
He then visited the Sedlec Ossuary (a chapel decorated with bones in the Czech town of Kutna Hora) and wrote: "While I am relieved that my innocence was proven and apparently I shall not be going to prison, I am in no way, shape or form a happy man right now. A young man is still dead, and his family still suffers. Not a single soul here has been rude or mean to me… I am leaving a part of myself here, I think. Some bit of me will always roam these streets at night, and that is only fitting. Now I will go home and try to see what good I can make come out of the destruction that occurred here – it is the only correct thing to do."
He previously criticized the US government for not warning him that he was going to be arrested. He faced up to ten years in prison if he was found guilty.
