Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe was acquitted of manslaughter charges in a Czech Republic court today. Blythe was facing up to 10 years in prison over the death of Daniel Nosek, a fan who died following injuries sustained at the band’s May 2010 concert in Prague.
According to reports, Nosek made multiple attempts to climb on stage during the the band’s concert, before Blythe allegedly pushed him, causing him to fall and suffer head injuries. Nosek died two weeks later. In June 2012, Blythe was arrested when his band returned to the Czech Republic to play a show. He maintained his innocence and claimed to be unaware of the fan’s death prior to the arrest. However, Czech authorities chose to keep him in prison for over a month and set bond for $400,000.
“I have been found not guilty & acquitted of all charges against me. I am a free man,” Blythe said in a statement following the verdict. “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.”
In a separate statement released prior to today’s verdict, Blythe explained why he chose to return to the Czech Republic and stand trial. “It would be absolutely intolerable for me to hide from this situation. I am an innocent man, but a family suffers the loss of a son, a fan of my band. That is what this whole thing is truly about, not prison, not money, not politics, not ME – it is about a young man who lost his life at just 19 years of age. He will never come back, and it breaks my heart.”
“I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that I did not behave honorably and try to give his family some answers. That would be disgraceful, and I do not wish to dishonor myself or my family by acting in such a cowardly manner. I was raised to face my problems head on.”
Prosecutors have reportedly said they’ll appeal the verdict.
