After only a few days in the Czech Republic, Randy Blythe will be returning home due to a delay in the trial. The trial will continue through Thursday February 7, then continue on again on March 4. Read on for more details.
A key witness has fallen ill and was unable to testify in person, much to the dismay of Blythe’s defense team. As a result, the court has postponed the trial to take place in just about a month from today. This delay will be effective after the schedule testifying of another witness on Thursday, February 7.
As reported by The Prague Post, trial began on Monday with Blythe stating his concerns with the lack of security at the concert venue as well as admitting to pushing a fan off the stage. However, this fan was not Daniel Nosek, the fan who died two weeks after the concert due to sustained brain injuries allegedly from being pushed off the stage that night. In any case, Lamb of God generally does not allow for fans to join the band on stage due to safety issues.
In light of that statement, Blythe followed on Wednesday with a statement that Lamb of God did send a list to the concert venue management requesting metal barriers. These barriers, specifically asked to be 1.5 meters away from the stage, were not present at the concert. Judge Tomáš Kubovec, who is presiding over the trial, refuted that statement, referring to the evidence provided by venue promoter Tomáš Fiala. According to Fiala, the band did not express any concerns “either before or after the gig.”
Also in the courtroom on Wednesday was expert medical witness Michal Pogoši. He revealed that the result of Nosek’s death was pneumonia that was caused by a blow to the brainstem, the portion of the brain that sits atop the spinal cord. Unfortunately, the mortality rate of this condition is 40%, and Pogoši stated “doctors couldn’t have done more to save the patient.”
The trial will be postponed until March 4. In the mean time, Blythe will be returning back to the states. But as promised from the very beginning, he will return back to Prague to stand the trial. Stay tuned for more details.
UPDATE
Randy Blythe’s trial is officially postponed for another four weeks. Today, via his Instagram account, Blythe released a personal statement to fans of the band, pleading that there be no resentment towards the Czech Republic or victims involved who deserve no hate or negativity. Read the statement below:
I have read a few news reports of the progress of my case, and trust me- many things are incorrect. But this is the Internet, and of course things are half-baked anyway. Keep in mind that translation is difficult, and many things can be lost, for Czech is a VERY DIFFICULT language. So wait and see, as I am. It is all I can do, except be honest & fight for my freedom in my own way.
I also have heard of some people (not on here) talking smack about the Czech Republic, saying “Fuck the Czech Republic”, etc. This not how it should be. This is a very sad case, not something to rage at people you do not know over.
I am not angry with the Czechs at all. A fan of my band is dead- what do I have to be angry about? I am an INNOCENT man, but I am also a very sad man right now. To not be sad in this instance would be inhuman. But mad at the Czech people? Why would I be mad at them?
Here, look at this picture– a mother watches her baby. The child reaches out for something new, laughing and chasing a pretty picture in the air. It is the same here as everywhere else. Do you see?!?!?
Life is beautiful. I hope to see y’all soon.