Blythe could rot in jail for months

Still behind bars: Randy Blythe

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe began his third week in a Czech prison with a two-hour visit from wife Cindy.

But as a result of the legal wrangles surrounding his arrest for manslaughter, she was forced to choose her words carefully when she spoke to press – fearing anything she said could make the situation worse.

She said: “It was really good to see him. I miss him very much and I really hope I get to see him soon, and that we’ll be together soon. This was a special day, getting to see him.

Blythe was arrested in June 27 in connection with the death of Daniel Nosek, who suffered a fatal brain haemorrhage weeks after allegedly falling at a Lamb of God show in Prague in 2010. The musician has been accused of manslaughter – but he has not actually been charged with any crime.

Despite posting $200,000 bail ten days ago – a transaction that was delayed by court procedure and public holidays – he has not been released because prosecutors objected. Details of their objection are not known. The ball money has not been returned and it is not known how a decision will be made about Blythe’s freedom. When a new decision is made, it may also be subject to objection.

Cindy, who married Blythe in 2005, added: “I think it’s terrible what happened, that the kid lost his life and his family lost him – but I believe Randy is innocent. That’s what I believe.”

The Gauntlet reports: “With no bail hearing currently scheduled, and no charges filed against him, Randy Blythe sits in legal limbo in a foreign jail. According to Czech law, people in jail awaiting trial come up for bail every 90 days. The prosecutor can accept bail or deny it. The only reasons for which bail can be revoked are: the defendant might commit the crime again, might taint witnesses, or might flee the country. We assume that it is the latter that is keeping Blythe locked up.”

Jonathan Crane of the Prague Reporter tells WTVR-TV: “Our legal experts said that sometimes these things could take up to months. The trial could take six months.”

Video evidence which originally aroused police suspicion has since been augmented with more visual evidence which shows Blythe was nowhere near Nosek when he struck his head after being ordered to stop trying to invade the stage following three attempts. Some of Nosek’s friends say it’s not him in the videos and photos, while others say there was a fourth attempt at getting on stage which caused the fatal injury.

Band manager Larry Mazer is maintaining silence, believed to be in case anything he says is used to detain Blythe for longer. But he previously said the band had not been told about Nosek’s death. Czech police claim they consulted with US Authorities but the US Embassy in Prague refuses to comment, saying the singer would have to sign a waiver of anonymity and he hasn’t done so. They will not discuss whether they are taking any action over Blythe’s case.

Sign the White House petition calling on US authorities to act over Randy Blythe’s detention without charge after having posted bail