Madina Lake attempted murderer not guilty

Death's door: Leone expects he'll never fully recover from brutal assault

Chicago rock band Madina Lake have been left “baffled and shocked” after the man accused of nearly killing their bassist was found not guilty in court.

Matthew Leone has required two years of near-constant medical attention following the brutal beating he received in June 2010, when he went to help a woman who was being assaulted herself.

He had to have part of his skull removed and lost most of his teeth. He expects he’ll experience symptoms, including vertigo, for the rest of his life.

Justin Pivec, her husband, was found not guilty of attempted murder by Cook County Judge Vincent Guaghan.

Matthew’s brother, frontman Nathan, says: “We’re utterly baffled and shocked.

“Admittedly we’re not well versed in the justice system – but today a vicious coward was given a free pass for beating his wife and almost killing my brother.

“This has taken a tremendous toll on all of us for two years. Though we’re devastated, we will continue to focus on the positive, which is that Matthew is still with us.

“Hopefully this has spread awareness for victims of domestic violence. More later as we attempt to comprehend this.”

Last year Leone described the moments leading up to his attack, saying: “I heard her screaming – he was strangling her, she was on her back and she had blood all over her face.

“She was screaming ‘He’s going to kill me’ and I got involved immediately. I subdued him three times, but he’s one of these guys who works out at the gym a lot.

“He picked up a rock and got me – he broke my skull with the first hit. Then while I was unconscious he laid into me.”

Pivec remains to be sentenced on domestic violence charges.