Lamb of God’s singer, Randy Blythe, has been acquitted by the Czech court of causing the death of a fan.
Blythe posted on Instagram, “I have been found not guilty and acquitted of all charges against me. I am a free man.”
The 42-year-old singer was accused of manslaughter for allegedly pushing a fan, Daniel Nosek, off the stage during a Lamb of God concert in Prague. Mr. Nosek hit his head when he fell and died weeks later. Nosek had reportedly tried to climb up onto the stage several times.
The presiding judge, Tomas Kuovec, ruled that Blythe’s actions had not constituted a crime. He criticized the promoter of the May, 2010 concert saying that the promoter had made, “a very serious mistake,” regarding lapses in security.
Prosecutors have lodged an appeal. Nosek’s family, however, do not want to take any further action.
An uncle stated, “It will not bring him back to life. Besides, we don’t think Mr. Blythe would be 100 percent guilty.”
Blythe had been arrested when he and the band arrived in Prague for a concert in June. He said at the time that he had only learned about the fan’s death and the resulting prosecution when he was arrested. He was bailed out in August after promising to return from his home in Richmond, Virginia for the trial.
Blythe pleaded not guilty, but admitted that he had pushed the man off the stage, but he said that he saw the man stand up again in the crowd. He apologized to the family.
He also posted this comment, “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.”
The family demanded damages worth 10 million koruna ($527,000).
The judge stated, “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.”
Blythe declined to speak to the press after the trial.
He did, however, address the court after closing arguments. “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 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.
“This has been a very sad and emotive experience for me, but I’ve tried to remain as objective as possible because my emotions have no impact on what is for me and for the family of Daniel Nosek the most important thing: the truth. He was just a boy. I wish he was still here.”
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