Music

5 weeks later and Lamb of God's Randy Blythe is finally released from prison

by Tyler Munro

After more than a month behind bars in the Czech Republic, we’re happy to report today that Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe is finally free. But just in case you missed the entire saga, here’s a quick little timeline of how things went down.

May 24, 2010 – Lamb of God plays Club Abaton in Prague, which is when Blythe was accused of violently tossing a patron from the stage.

June 10, 2010 – The patron in question dies from sustained head injury

June 28, 2012 – Randy Blythe is arrested on allegations of manslaughter

July 30, 2012 – Bail is first granted

July 2, 2012 – Randy Blythe makes bail ($200,000) for the first time.

July 17, 2012 – Blythe’s bail is denied. He still hasn’t been charged, but his attorney offers to pay double the bail ($400,000) in good faith, assuring prosecutors that he’d return when needed to see the trial through

July 19, 2012 – Randy Blythe has another bail hearing.

July 20, 2012 – He pays his bail. Again. Nothing happens.

July 25, 2012 – Reports surface that Blythe’s bail is being challenged yet again. At this point, he still hasn’t been charged, meaning he’ll either have to be formally charged or released within twenty days of the prosecutor issuing a formal reason for the bail denial request.

August 3, 2012 – The court upholds bail this time and Randy Blythe is released, according to Prague Municipal Court spokeswoman Martina Lhotakova.

As of now, Lamb of God’s headlining tours have been cancelled, but they’re vowing to play Knotfest shows on August 17 and 18 in Iowa and Wisconsin. They’re targetting late October for their full return to the road. Until then, all the best to someone who by all accounts was detained illegally for five weeks without ever being charged. Even if you’re not a fan, you’ve got to realize just how wrong that is.