Monday, December 3, 2012

LAMB OF GOD: LAMB OF GOD MANAGER LARRY MAZER RESPONDS TO RANDY BLYTHE INDICTMENT


LAMB OF GOD manager LARRY MAZER has issued this statement on LAMB OF GOD vocalist RANDY BLYTHE's indictment on manslaughter charges (bodily harm in the 4th degree) in relation to the 2010 death (at the now CLOSED, ABATON, Prague, Czech Republic) of a stage diving fan, DANIEL NOSEK.
The Prague, Czech Republic court now has three months to set a trial date or send the case back for investigation. RANDY BLYTHE has pleaded innocent and vowed to return to court to clear his name. Regarding RANDY BLYTHE's manslaughter charges (bodily harm in the 4th degree), BLYTHE paid $400, 000 in bail to a Prague, Czech Republic court and is currently on a U.S. tour with HATEBREED and IN FLAMES.

FROM OTEP:
Randy Blythe's indictment is a travesty of justice. It is the responsibility of the venue & security to keep the band safe. Remember DIME!? This is an outrage.
We were the 1st band 2 play the Villa Rosa after Dime's death. It was indescribably sad & overwhelming beneath the weight of all that loss.
You guys know me, I adore & respect every single one of you, but the stage is a sacred circle. We deserve to be safe in our realm. 
It is the job of the venue & their security to keep the stage clear and the band safe. If fans are persistent, they should be taken out the nearest exit.

FROM LARRY MAZER (LAMB OF GOD MANAGER):
 "After a three-month investigation, the prosecutor in the Czech Republic has decided to move forward with an indictment of Randy Blythe on the charge of manslaughter with intent to cause bodily harm. Obviously, we intend to fight vigorously against these charges as we feel that in no way did Randy intend to cause bodily harm on the young fan who subsequently died from injuries sustained at the show. As he has stated previously, Randy intends to go to Prague to defend himself at trial.

"While it is a tragedy that a LAMB OF GOD fan died following a performance by the group, in no way do I feel that Randy did anything improper that led to the young man's injuries and subsequent death. The price of a ticket to a show does not entitle audience members access to a band's stage. 

"In the years since the murder on stage of Dimebag Darrell Abbott[PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN], performers of all genres have had to become more guarded while performing in response to the dangers presented by fans trying to become part of the performance. We believe that Randy responded professionally to the numerous amount of fans rushing the stage that day, a number of them captured on videos that have been posted on the Internet. We have testimony from the venue operator that acknowledges lax security and an improper barricade being used that evening. Numerous testimonies from fans also were contradictory as to the actions of the multiple fans that tried to access the stage. 

"At this point, all that the band, myself, and our lawyers can do is to present a defense and try to convince the panel of judges who will hear the case that Randy is innocent of all charges and that his name and reputation need to be cleared and that he be permitted to carry on with his life and career always mindful that a fan passed away after a LAMB OF GOD performance."



Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-