When we last checked in with the detainment of Randy Blythe in a Czech prison, the court overruled the prosecution allowing Blythe to be freed on bail, which was then doubled to $400,000. Lawyers were awaiting the paperwork to sign and now it's just a waiting game. Blythe is being detained for allegedly pushing a fan, Daniel N. off a stage at a 2010 show in Prague. The fan later died of injuries apparently sustained by the push.
Over the weekend, one of Blythe's attorneys spoke to Radio Prague and gave new insight into the situation, including Randy promising to return for the trial and their feeling of betrayal by the US Department of Justice:
On when he (Blythe's attorney) expects Randy to be released on bail, and if he would return for the trial:
“Everything indicates that he will be allowed to travel home. But he will have to come back either for further investigation or the trial, and that’s what he wants to do. As a world-renowned artist, in a specific genre of music of course, he cannot afford to simply disappear. This is a wrong assumption by the Czech police and the Prague municipal prosecutor who still believe there is a possibility he will disappear and never show up again.”
“But there would be posters with his picture all around the world, and if he wants to continue performing, he will have to return. And he wants to return because he believes he is not guilty of anything he has been charged with.”
On the band being blindsided after entering Prague two years after the incident, and their feeling of betrayal by the US Department of Justice:
“I really don’t know. Let me put it this way: nobody was expecting that unfortunately, this young man Daniel Nosek would die a month after the concert. His father then spoke to the police who launched an investigation and called several witnesses who were at that concert. They also approached the US Department of Justice and asked them to take part in the investigation which the department refused to do.”
“Refusing to do so, they did not notify anyone from the band or the management, so no one really knew that investigation was underway, which I think is not something the US Department of Justice can be proud of.”
On how Randy is holding up in jail and if he's really learning Mongolian?
“Randy Blythe is an intelligent man, he writes songs and now in jail, he has started writing a book. As regards his Mongolian ‘neighbor’, Mr Blythe is not really learning Mongolian from him all the time; we just bought the guy a book of Sudoku so that Randy has a little more time to do things he wants to do.”
Finally, if Randy has complained at any of his conditions:
“Not at all. He says he is being treated in a fair way, and he has no complaints whatsoever about the guards or anybody in the Pankrác prison. He realizes he cannot do anything about the fact that the prison is old… it’s not a place where he would like to spend more time but well, that’s how it is.”
Seems like Randy is content with coming back and proving his innocence. After speaking to a few people, it seems as though it would be in his best interest, as a worldly touring musician to do so, otherwise the band would only be able to tour in the US.
Hopefully, we'll hear about Blythe's release soon. We'll be sure to report on it as soon as we hear anything. As usual, you can keep up with our previous coverage here.
