Decapitated guitarist Waclaw Kieltyka and drummer Michal Lysejko appeared before a judge in Spokane, Washington on Friday, October 13. According to The Spokesman-Review, both the guitarist and drummer had their bail set at $100,000 each, and vocalist Rafal Piotrowski and bassist Hubert Wiecek have been scheduled to appear before a judge on October 19. The Spokesman-Review also says that both Kieltyka and Lysejko have been ordered to surrender their passports to their attorney.
Earlier this week it was reported that Kieltyka and vocalist Piotrowski have been charged with second-degree rape, while drummer Lysejko and bassist Wiecek have been charged with third-degree rape. These charges do not act as a sentencing of guilty or innocent by any officials but are just the charges filed against the band members. The band has since spoken out once these charges were filed, maintaining their claims of innocence.
An update – following extradition from California to Washington, the band has now been charged. We’d like to emphasise; the Spokane Police Department has pressed charges as procedural formality, without doing so, they would be forced to release band – this is not a conviction or any indication of guilt or innocence.
Once again, we ask that everyone wait for each party’s case to be presented and await the court’s decision. With that said, whilst cases are being prepared on both sides, some facts are indisputable at this point – that the original officer who took the complaint from the accuser stated, "I do not have probable cause that a rape occurred”, and it’s taken a full 30 days to file charges, which is right up against the point at which the defendants would legally have had to be released.
The band firmly refutes the allegations and are confident that once the facts and evidence have been seen and heard, they will be released and able to return home.
Individuals who were present on the night in question with information about the case are asked to reach out to the defense lawyer, Steve Graham of Spokane, Washington.
Spokane Superior Court Judge Annette Plese also ordered that there be no communication between all four members of Decapitated at this time. An order that the band's attorney Stephen Graham says is inhumane considering the band doesn't speak English very well and "in essence, will be held in solitary confinement."
Decapitated was arrested on September 8 in Santa Ana, California, and was held in Los Angeles County Jail until their extradition to Spokane, Washington. The arrest stems from allegations of kidnap and rape after a show in Spokane on August 31.
