On July 27, Artisan News spoke to members of Slipknot, Anthrax and Asking Alexandria at the Camden, New Jersey stop of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival about Lamb Of God singer's incarceration in the Czech Republic in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago. You can now watch the footage below.
Randy 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 n. - a guitarist in a local metal band - and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Shawn M. Crahan (a.k.a. Clown; Slipknot): "Number one, I'd say, Randy, hang in there, man. All your friends back home are totally thinking about you. There's not a day that doesn't go by that his name doesn't come up. Even the [rest of the Lamb Of God] band; they are family. I really don't know what's going on, and I choose not to try and listen, because you can never get the straight facts. If I can hang out with my bros in Lamb Of God and hear it from them directly, then I'm gonna have a straight answer. But there's so much... there's so much [confusing information being put out in the media], and I just don't buy into all that crap. I don't know what's going on, but I wish him a safe return. I know that I watched a video [of the concert in question], but from what I saw in the video - if that is the actual video [of the incident] - I don't get it. I don't know why he's being punished or what's going on. It didn't seem like anything."
Frank Bello (Anthrax): "[It's] unbelievable - just wrong in every way. We're praying for him. There's nothing to say. Nobody's got any control over that. [All we can offer him is] just support; that's all we can do at this point."
Scott Ian (Anthrax): "I just don't really understand a system that, basically, has already found him guilty without even him having a day in court, because they're keeping him in jail. It's insane to me that that's allowed to happen. And it's really disturbing, also, the fact that the U.S. government doesn't step in to help one of its citizens that's being treated extremely unfairly in a foreign country. It's pretty amazing to me that the government doesn't step in and say, 'Hey, motherf--kers. What's going on?'"
Agreed with Scott. Given that the U.S. government is always so eager to promote the greatness of its judicial system, this should feel like a huge deceit to its whole population. To allow a citizen to, seemingly completely ignored, be held captive abroad and accused on so inadequate foundations without interfering shouldn't be allowed.
It seems like there's just not enough evidence in this case for a legitimate prosecution. They're trying to convict an international celebrity of manslaughter with only shoddy concert videos and a bunch of hearsay. Chances are that even the people who witnessed the incident and will testify to what happened that night were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, so any eye-witness testimonies cannot be entirely conclusive (for God's sake, it was two years ago... who's going to remember that clearly?) There's obviously more to the story than anyone is being told, and it's ridiculous that the Czech government is holding Blythe under these seemingly false pretenses.
I don't care for any of the bands except for Anthrax, but this whole situation is filled with bullshit, conspiracy, and cheese. The prosecutors are probably just some numbskulls wanting to get some money off of the band that the dead numbskull died at. What these people don't realize is that Randy is is LIVING BREATHING HUMAN BEING. He has a family, he has friends, he needs food, water, and shelter. He's just like anyone else, but he's more notable. There's some really dumb people in this world.
It seems like there's just not enough evidence in this case for a legitimate prosecution. They're trying to convict an international celebrity of manslaughter with only shoddy concert videos and a bunch of hearsay. Chances are that even the people who witnessed the incident and will testify to what happened that night were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, so any eye-witness testimonies cannot be entirely conclusive (for God's sake, it was two years ago... who's going to remember that clearly?) There's obviously more to the story than anyone is being told, and it's ridiculous that the Czech government is holding Blythe under these seemingly false pretenses.
+1
This is what I've been saying from the start. Any video that shows Randy having any potential liability in the case, you cannot see Daniel hit the floor. You can't trust 2 year old testimonies. Therefore, we can only assume that in the video showing Randy pushing with one arm and the security guard forcefully lunging with two, that Daniel was caught by the crowd. There's to many "what ifs" for this case to hold up in court. Then again, the Czech legal system is apparently ****ed, so who knows...
Well, communities do have power. Not enough to influence the Czech government but enough to pester the US government until they actually do something. Metal protest outside the White House, anyone?
Ignorance, ignorance everywhere. None of these people obviously know how the legal system works. Randy killed a kid, he's getting what he deserves. I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come.
Have they even attempted to contact government officials by any means? If so, then there should be reports about that as well. It will add pressure in the media(to some extent)
Ignorance, ignorance everywhere. None of these people obviously know how the legal system works. Randy killed a kid, he's getting what he deserves. I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come.
Ignorance, ignorance everywhere. None of these people obviously know how the legal system works. Randy killed a kid, he's getting what he deserves. I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come.
thought i was the only one. i saw them live, and they, all of them, are flaming ass-holes. like, the other bands were shaking hands with their fans as they took the stage, even Metallica, but Lamb of God just stared at them as if they were going to start a fight.
metal-fans like to climb up on stage, that's just part of life: Randy, being an ass-hole, pushed this fan off-stage and killed him. he should pay for his crimes. musicians aren't above the law: i guarantee that if it was someone the majority of metal-heads didn't like, like Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Mustaine or the members of Metallica, everyone would be all "let 'em rot in jail".
lol, ignorance is indeed everywhere, especially in the metal-scene
Ignorance, ignorance everywhere. None of these people obviously know how the legal system works. Randy killed a kid, he's getting what he deserves. I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come.
I think the ignorance lies in your corner.
Read Minivirus2's first comment for an accurate depiction of the only video that shows Randy Blythe come in contact with the kid. There's only one video that shows the kid hit the floor and appearing to be in pain, and that would assumingly have taken place after the incident with Randy, and the kid looked more than happy to storm the stage/Randy Blythe for at least the third time. He also looked like he was fairly inebriated by that point, judging by the way he was slinking up onto the stage. The only person that touches him then, in that video, is a person to the right of the stage on the floor -- whether he's security, a roadie, or a fellow spectator is unclear. The kid falls back on the floor (the only video that shows him in contact with the floor) apparently writhing in pain or intoxicated confusion.
I ****ing hate Lamb of God's music, but I think this is a whole bunch of bullshit. Looks like a sort of extortion or an incredibly incompetent judicial system, to me... or both.
Hang in there Randy, we ALL miss you and are praying/hoping for the best...it's unfair, it really is, but karma is a bitch, and those bastards will gets there's one day
If the man is in anyway connected with the crime then he deserves to be tried, I don't really see how you can argue against this point. That being said, anyone presuming his innocence or guilt are basically saying that the legal system should be circumvented just because he is a celebrity which is for lack of a better word, insane. If the court rules him a flight risk, then he can be denied bail or have it raised or whatever, that falls into the specifics of Czech law which I know nothing about.
Secondly, everyone talks about the videos floating around on the internet as if that's the only evidance there is in existance. Guarntee you there is more that is not disclosed to the public therefore everything spouted off here and on Facebook is essentially hearsay.
If you want my opinion, based on the one video of him holding the dude by the hair, I would say that's enough to implicate him, but once again I am saying this from a stance of, "Should he be prosecuted?" Not is he guilty or innocent, but should he go on trial. I believe he should, along with all the security guards who laid hands on the guy.
The actual issue aside,that's the way the world should work? other countries legal systems shouldn't matter no, no, america should just get to "step in" and have it's way! **** off.
I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come
So I guess that you, in your godly wisdom and omniscience, already decided that he killed a kid with full intent and malice and is a sick piece of garbage that deserves surprise buttsex in prison.
Even if he is held accountable (and I hope he's not), it was still an accident. You have to calm down.
i'm 17. over summer break i had no internet, contact or possible way of learning this news. being back at school, the first website i went on was this. one by one i've read each Randy Blythe article. i am disgusted. i disagree with his arrest and have so much hate for whoever charged him all of a sudden. we all know he is innocent. i agree with Anthrax. why the **** isn't the government stepping in? i sense riots in the near future. metalheads like me, Lamb of God fans, or anyone who hates this situation in general will gather in some form, and force the government to step in. i want this to be national. Randy Blythe must come home. if the government won't do anything, then i have no faith in it. Randy Blythe 2012. Now You've Got Something to Vote For.
on a side note, Randy has been writing lyrics during his time inside. **** yeah.
I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come
So I guess that you, in your godly wisdom and omniscience, already decided that he killed a kid with full intent and malice and is a sick piece of garbage that deserves surprise buttsex in prison.
Even if he is held accountable (and I hope he's not), it was still an accident. You have to calm down.
If he is held accountable, then it's still a manslaughter charge. However, I don't even think he did it and the whole thing is ridiculous, especially considering the fact that he posted bail. Pretty sure there are laws against holding people without sufficient evidence especially in EU countries.
vikingman369 wrote:
thought i was the only one. i saw them live, and they, all of them, are flaming ass-holes. like, the other bands were shaking hands with their fans as they took the stage, even Metallica, but Lamb of God just stared at them as if they were going to start a fight.
Being an ******* doesn't make someone a criminal.
vikingman369 wrote:
metal-fans like to climb up on stage, that's just part of life: Randy, being an ass-hole, pushed this fan off-stage and killed him. he should pay for his crimes. musicians aren't above the law
Interesting view. Burglars like to rob. Speeders like to speed. Drug users like to use drugs. They're all part of life.
I'm assuming you'd be fine with all those being accepted?
Ignorance, ignorance everywhere. None of these people obviously know how the legal system works. Randy killed a kid, he's getting what he deserves. I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come.
Who the hell are you to talk about ignorance, hypocrite? Take a look at the evidence before you open your mouth; there's clear video footage from the show - during Hourglass, in the span of just a couple of minutes - of the guy who was killed first being thrown off stage by a security guy and Randy, then making his way around the crowd to the right side of the stage, attempting to climb the stage again but getting caught by another security guy who slams him head first onto the top of the security fence, which is without doubt what caused the fatal head injuries. After this he falls down, gets up again and is told by the same security guy to calm down and not try to get up again, after which he stays until the end of the song. As for the photos showing Randy bent down over the fan on stage, it's obvious he's not choking him as some "reports" have stated because his hands are in the wrong position, instead it seems like Randy's trying to listen to what the fan is saying.
In any case, the actual footage is the only solid proof for what happened on that night, and I am not under any circumstances going to believe any bs that was remembered incorrectly by a visitor who could very likely have been affected by alcohol or drugs, or made up by *******s who are trying to ruin the band's reputation, and neither should you.
Ignorance, ignorance everywhere. None of these people obviously know how the legal system works. Randy killed a kid, he's getting what he deserves. I hope he rots and gets raped in prison for many years to come.
thought i was the only one. i saw them live, and they, all of them, are flaming ass-holes. like, the other bands were shaking hands with their fans as they took the stage, even Metallica, but Lamb of God just stared at them as if they were going to start a fight.
metal-fans like to climb up on stage, that's just part of life: Randy, being an ass-hole, pushed this fan off-stage and killed him. he should pay for his crimes. musicians aren't above the law: i guarantee that if it was someone the majority of metal-heads didn't like, like Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Mustaine or the members of Metallica, everyone would be all "let 'em rot in jail".
lol, ignorance is indeed everywhere, especially in the metal-scene
no, Randy didnt "push him off stage and kill him." He pushed him offstage (most likely with the assistance of security) and an accident occurred. He may have pushed him, but killing him he did not.
I'm shocked at the amount of people who have obviously not seen the video. Randy did not kill that kid. The bouncer did. The bouncer should be on trial, not Randy.
And even if he did kill the kid. Even if he is guilty of manslaughter. That has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he has posted bail, TWICE, and is still being held. This is no longer about whether or not he killed a kid or not. Now this is straight up wrongful detention. Everything about this case is ****ing retarded.
Lacebad wrote:
The actual issue aside,that's the way the world should work? other countries legal systems shouldn't matter no, no, america should just get to "step in" and have it's way! **** off.
When a countries legal system is obviously corrupt and/or broken, then yes, someone should step in and do something. Bottom line: Randy posted bail. Twice. $400,000. And he's still being held. That is ****ed up, and you're an idiot if you think we should just accept that because "that's the way their system works."
I'm shocked at the amount of people who have obviously not seen the video. Randy did not kill that kid. The bouncer did. The bouncer should be on trial, not Randy.
Apparently that's not actually the incident he's being tried for. The videos showed three instances of the guy being chucked off stage; apparently there was a fourth and that was the one that caused the fatal injury.
Frankly, I think the fact that he jumped on stage and was removed that many times should be enough to acquit Randy.
They must have good evidence other than what has been revealed to the public. People saying "He didn't intend to cause harm when he pushed him off stage" need to understand this is the reason he's being charged with manslaughter, and not murder...
Did he do it? I have no idea. Neither do you. After posting bail the first time, and learning of the Czech's detainment processes, I do not understand what intelligent person would post bail a second time, knowing well that they can still keep him there.
Their system is not like our system, so understanding the Czech system will help many people understand why he's still there, even if it isn't "fair" in our eyes.
If he's guilty, toss him in the clink. If he's innocent, let him be free. It is rather disturbing how many fans want him free just because they like his music, and have only seen "evidence" released to the public.
Dear American Government: Do something! Randy is a ****ing human being, he has rights and they are being taken away by greedy bastards! He is an American Citizen, stand up for your own. Signed: A Canadian outraged at this shit.
is there some good sum up of the known facts about the case? I'm a czech fan of Lamb of God, I'd be incredibly embarassed and sorry should this turn out to be a consequence of our legal system's ****up, but on the other hand if he killed someone, albeit unintentionally, he would deserve to be in jail.. But I do hope he's innocent and will be soon released, even though the chances of LoG ever returning to CR after this are probably very low.. Boy, was I looking forward to that concert
Now is the time to make an impact if the U.S. government wanted to make one, with the olympics you could offer an ultimatum to the Czech and demand they be fair and just or they will be disqualified from all events. (Lets face it England is currently a puppet for america...
I definitely think Blythe should be released, but why does everyone expect the U.S. to step in? For the record, Blythe isn't the ONLY U.S. citizen held off shore, just the most famous.
Smegal wrote:
with the olympics you could offer an ultimatum to the Czech and demand they be fair and just or they will be disqualified from all events. (Lets face it England is currently a puppet for america...
- with all due respect, this is total nonsense. England might well be a puppet for america, but neither England nor America have any push to decide things like these. The IOC has. And they have their own rules and voting system. Therefore it is absolutely impossible.
Scourge441 wrote:
apparently there was a fourth and that was the one that caused the fatal injury.
According to who? I thought it was always custom to question the motives of those who claim to be "witnesses", especially since there's absolutely no recording of a "fourth incident"?
Hang in there, Randy, I know you'll make it.