The man who nearly killed Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone in a violent assault has been charged with attempted first degree murder.
Meanwhile, Matt was forced to go back to hospital after a tooth ruptured – and his brother and bandmate Nathan says more emergency dashes are likely.
Eight weeks ago Justin Pivec was in the process of assaulting his wife in the Leone’s home city of Chicago when Matt, who was passing at the time, went to her rescue. Pivec turned his attack onto Matt, who wound up in intensive care requiring brain surgery and further corrective operations.
Nathan reports: "
The alleged suspect has been formally charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated battery causing bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place.
"We’ve been on a mission to get things back to normal for weeks, pushing ahead with Madina while whipping Matthew back into shape.
"Unfortunately he ended up back in the ER yesterday with a ruptured wisdom tooth. These are the kind of things we’re going to be dealing with for the next year – injuries of this magnitude fo all kinds of things to the body. With his immune system fighting so many things it’s bound to fail from time to time.
"But we’re getting through it – and we’re ecstatic at the notion that, just maybe, one day things will be back to normal."
Matt’s medical insurance expired while the band were touring the UK, meaning he faces huge bills as he fights for health. Chicago bands have been running a series of benefit shows, headed up by a special performance from the Smashing Pumpkins.
Meanwhile, Madina Lake will release the last track Matt worked on before the attempted murder in the near future. He recorded his bass parts the day before the incident. Nathan says: "We’re putting Madina back together and an EP and the new record, World War III, are just around the corner. Let our thoughts be positive, optimistic and inspiring – and crush the rest of ‘em."
Thanks for the report to RockRadio.
