Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe was found not guilty and acquitted of charges of manslaughter by a three member jury in a Czech court on Tuesday.
Blythe was arrested in the city of Prague in June over an incident that happened at a Lamb of God performance in May 2010, where a 19-year-old fan named Daniel Nosek jumped onto the stage and was allegedly physically attacked by Blythe, causing injuries from which Nosek later died.
Blythe was held for over a month in a Czech prison before finally making bail and was indicted this past December. The trial lasted for four days last month before going into recess and resuming this week.
Prior to entering court on Tuesday, Blythe posted an image on Instagram of himself in front of the Prague cityscape, asking his fans to "not feel sorry for me, for I am at peace & refuse to feel sorry for myself," adding, "this whole thing...is about a young man who lost his life at just 19 years of age. He will never come back, & it breaks my heart."
"For me, this is BEING A MAN," Blythe wrote.
Blythe reportedly appeared emotional when addressing Nosek's family, saying he sympathized with them and thanked them for not attacking him in the press.
The final witness, George Straus, a biomechanical engineer, took the stand for the defense on Tuesday, testifying that Nosek was not pushed but instead jumped off of the stage. According to the Gauntlet, Straus testified that Nosek "could not have turned his body 180 degrees if pushed from the stage and land on the back of his head as reported. He also stated that he couldn't have been pushed over the first row of spectators but had to have actively jumped over them."
“I know I did not hurt or want to hurt anybody that night,” Blythe told the court shortly before the verdict was revealed. “I can understand the pain that the family of Daniel is experiencing. Daniel was a fan of my band. I had no wish to harm him. He was just a boy and I wish he was still here. If ultimately the Czech legal system sentences me to prison, I will do my sentence like a man. I have searched for an answer to this situation, the only one I can find to this tragic and horrible accident.”
After being acquitted, Blythe posted another image of himself on Instagram, in what appears to be a subway station with a sign in the background that reads “JUST GO HOME,” with the caption:
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 State Attorney immediately announced after the verdict his intention to appeal the decision. He has eight days to submit the appeal in writing. Blythe will have to return to the Czech Republic if an appeal is heard.
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