Blythe thanks fans for support during legal plight
I had no idea that Randy Blythe would be a (somewhat) free man by the time last week’s column concerning his legal plight was published. Blythe, 41, the lead singer for American metal band Lamb of God had been in Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic, for the charge of manslaughter. The charge stems from a May 24, 2010 concert where the singer allegedly pushed a persistently disruptive fan offstage. The fan, who reportedly rushed the stage multiple times, died of head injuries after hitting the concrete floor below the stage. Blythe faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted. Following release on bail, the Virginia-based singer returned to the United States. In a statement, Blythe said he had no idea how much support he was receiving as word about his case has begun to spread. Within 48 hours in-country, he said he was overwhelmed by the kindness shown. “I cannot express how emotional it made me upon my release to read about even a fraction of the voices that were raised on my behalf,” Blythe stated. The singer claimed that, though he received no special treatment while imprisoned, he also suffered no abuse “from either authorities or inmates” and put his plight into perspective. “People are dying of starvation all over the world. Men and women are losing their lives daily in the Middle East and other war-torn regions,” Blythe stated. “I had food, clothes, shelter, and no one was trying to kill me. I cannot complain over a short stay in prison while many people elsewhere fight to survive on a daily basis.” Blythe said that, although he maintains his innocence “100 percent” and has returned to the United States, if it is deemed necessary, he will return to Prague to stand trial. “I feel very strongly that as an adult, it would be both irresponsible and immoral for me not to return to Prague if I am summoned,” Blythe stated. “This is not about bail money. This is about a young man who lost his life. I will act with honor, and I will fight to clear my good name in this matter.” The singer stated that he understands the dead man’s family has a need for closure into their son’s death. Blythe said he is intimately familiar with their pain after having also lost a child. He said he is “manning up” and isn’t using his celebrity or citizenship to hide from accountability. “Therefore, I know all too well that in their time of grief, this family needs and deserves some real answers, not a media explosion followed by the accused killer of their son hiding like a coward thousands of miles away while they suffer,” Blythe said. “I am a man. I was raised to face my problems head on, not run from them like a petulant child. I hope that justice is done, and the family of Daniel N. will receive the closure they undoubtedly need to facilitate healing.” — Next week’s column will include a complete performance schedule of bands participating in the “Little Bit Country, Little Bit Rock and Roll” battle of the bands Aug. 17-18 at the Great Plains Coliseum. Tickets are $5 per night for the all-ages event showing off some of the finest local music talent as they battle for cash and prizes. srains@lawton-constitution.com