Decapitated - All Charges Against The Band Have Formally Been Dropped
Prosecutors have elected to drop rape and kidnapping charges against all four members of the Polish death metal band Decapitated, ensuring their eventual return to their home country of Poland after months of detainment in the United States.
The band made the following statement on their Facebook account:
All charges against Decapitated have formally been dropped. Arrested September 8 in Santa Ana whilst on tour, the members of the band were jailed until December where they were released on their own recognizance.
New evidence arose that helped show that the band was innocent. While a trial would have given the band the opportunity to have all this evidence heard, the band welcome the decision and are excited to return back to their homes in Poland.
The members of Decapitated - Wacław, Rafal, Michał and Hubert - send a sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who supported them during this difficult time, including fans, friends, and family.
According to the The Spokane Review article just 11 days before their Jan. 16 trial date, Spokane County prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald filed a motion dropping all rape and kidnapping charges without prejudice, meaning the four men could be prosecuted in the future. The motion cites "the well being of the victim" and "in the interest of justice" as a reason for dismissal.
The band's attorneys said news of the dismissal was surreal, but expected. Steve Graham, representing Kieltyka, said that, while he can only speak for his client, "everyone is relieved and they're looking to get back home."
Jeffry Finer, attorney for Piotrowsk, said the accuser was heavily involved in the decision to drop charges. He said attorneys were confident prosecution would drop charges once they had all of the evidence from defense witnesses, which included scores of concert goers. "A close review of the evidence is all it took," he said. "We are not criticizing the county for moving slow. It just took a long time to get all of the evidence, all of the witnesses, and there were so many witnesses."
Attorneys for the four accused have consistently argued their client's innocence. While he wouldn't divulge the state's reasoning for dropping the charges, Graham said Spokane police officers may have been misinformed on what happens at metal shows that could explain the woman's bruising.
"We subpoenaed the list of concert attendees and found numerous people who say that she was in the front row of the mosh pit and was climbing up on stage, and getting jostled about as much as anyone else there," he said. "There's no question from our perspective that the case against these four guys was falling apart."
A representative from the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office was not immediately available.
The band made the following statement on their Facebook account:
All charges against Decapitated have formally been dropped. Arrested September 8 in Santa Ana whilst on tour, the members of the band were jailed until December where they were released on their own recognizance.
New evidence arose that helped show that the band was innocent. While a trial would have given the band the opportunity to have all this evidence heard, the band welcome the decision and are excited to return back to their homes in Poland.
The members of Decapitated - Wacław, Rafal, Michał and Hubert - send a sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who supported them during this difficult time, including fans, friends, and family.
According to the The Spokane Review article just 11 days before their Jan. 16 trial date, Spokane County prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald filed a motion dropping all rape and kidnapping charges without prejudice, meaning the four men could be prosecuted in the future. The motion cites "the well being of the victim" and "in the interest of justice" as a reason for dismissal.
The band's attorneys said news of the dismissal was surreal, but expected. Steve Graham, representing Kieltyka, said that, while he can only speak for his client, "everyone is relieved and they're looking to get back home."
Jeffry Finer, attorney for Piotrowsk, said the accuser was heavily involved in the decision to drop charges. He said attorneys were confident prosecution would drop charges once they had all of the evidence from defense witnesses, which included scores of concert goers. "A close review of the evidence is all it took," he said. "We are not criticizing the county for moving slow. It just took a long time to get all of the evidence, all of the witnesses, and there were so many witnesses."
Attorneys for the four accused have consistently argued their client's innocence. While he wouldn't divulge the state's reasoning for dropping the charges, Graham said Spokane police officers may have been misinformed on what happens at metal shows that could explain the woman's bruising.
"We subpoenaed the list of concert attendees and found numerous people who say that she was in the front row of the mosh pit and was climbing up on stage, and getting jostled about as much as anyone else there," he said. "There's no question from our perspective that the case against these four guys was falling apart."
A representative from the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office was not immediately available.
Source: | facebook.com |
Band profile: | Decapitated |
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Bad English Tage Westerlund |
No surprise, like I told case was like woman accuse NBA, NBL star to rape and tries get some cash, more less American thing. I told in my original post this is case, band is innocent. I wish they get compensation for this.
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Big-Al |
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OpethFlames |
Great to hear! They should definitely get some sort of compensation.
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kaiserphoenix |
06.01.2018 - 00:52
Really glad to hear this! it's true i didn't know all the facts aside from what i read on here but i'm glad this band have been cleared of the charges
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BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin |
Written by Bad English on 05.01.2018 at 23:03 Not sure where to begin, but lets go with the obvious. Polish Death Metal Band touring in teh year 2017 vs NBA star. Kobe Bryant made more money PER MINUTE than Decapitated likely have in their collective bank accounts now. These bands tour to live hand to mouth and work jobs when not touring... Anyone who thinks cash was a motive in the accusation clearly lacks the vaguest understanding of financial matters.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher |
Not gonna say 'I told you!' but... I told you! This smelled of false allegations from the very start and now it is proven. The guys should sue the floozy now. She needs to taste how it is when try to ruin the lives of some people. If the US justice system is not pussified yet, they should accuse her now of false accusations.
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Tuonelan |
The dropping of the charges has less to do with guilt or innocence than with probability. The prosecutors decided not to go forward because the likelihood of getting a conviction dropped below where they were willing to risk it. Criminal trials have shit all to do with truth. Whatever the truth of the matter, though, the band should probably think twice about tour bus escapades from here on out. They've had more than their share of drama. Why invite more trouble?
---- For ages we have wandered Under the wings of deception Too long have we been waiting For the long winter to end
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Ikuinen |
Those guys are both emotionally and financially destroyed
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Vombatus Potorro |
Written by Ikuinen on 06.01.2018 at 02:48 Thought the same. I'm glad for them, but they now carry a stigma hard to shrug off in today's shitty western society. Band's reputation is harmed, not to mention the time spent in prison or the shitload of cash all this garbage must have costed them... for NOTHING. On a further note, one really wonders if it safe to copulate anymore as the looming menace of random surprise assault charges is always there. And it's not only about being found guilty or innocent, it's the stain caused by the simple accusation that really makes harm, even if completely innocent. Apparently now you have to think twice when getting the groupies on the bus or you'll be inviting more trouble.... : Type of mentality that absolutely sickens me.
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Auntie Sahar Drone Empress |
06.01.2018 - 04:09 Written by TheMAGAmvm on 06.01.2018 at 01:09 Or there's always the option of minimizing the potential for future escalation and being the proverbial "bigger person." Imagine that! You always have a right to get mad in cases like this and be entitled to your emotions, but not necessarily a right to get even. Ultimately the goal in life is getting ahead, so why waste the energy?
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Malignar Posts: 285 |
Touring probably isn't a big money maker. Unfortunately the pragmatic decision is to become a studio band only. Amazing that one person can take down any other person's life with accusations only, but this is where we are now. I hope none of the good people encounter a person with an idea about taking them down, because they can with little effort. Kinda what makes me wary of social media these days. One wrong post and you are done, let alone inviting someone onto a tour bus.
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Boxcar Willy yr a kook |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.01.2018 at 04:09 I think your perspective would change after spending months in jail for something you didn't do.
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Bad English Tage Westerlund |
06.01.2018 - 08:24
Bitter - Well yes it might be because otherwise why you put this all up? why start case what is based of lies and such accusation?
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Kamil Account deleted |
Kamil
Account deleted
I will just say this - Yes! Yes! Yes! Now they should do a case of defamation for those stupid bitches. Unfortunately there is no compensation for losses they already suffered.
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TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.01.2018 at 04:09 So the Decapitated guys, who were faced with the possibility of their career being ruined, of their lives being ruined, should be satisfied now that they were pronounced innocent and avoid suing the floozy for false allegations? This is very idealistic, and the precise reason why false allegations continue to exist, because the justice system rarely punishes those who bear false witness. The band incurred financial losses as they had to cancel gigs, and because of the overlong stay in the US for the trial to be finished. At the very least they are entitled for some compensations. And the floozy, a few years in prison might teach her a lesson, so that next time she would think 10 times more before filing a false rape allegation.
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TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 06.01.2018 at 07:50 Not only because they spent a few months in jail for nothing, they experienced financial losses too. Some of these guys have families as well. The gravity of such a deed is huge and yet some people would rather have them not suing the real perpetrator(s). This world is becoming more and more pussified. Trump has a lot of work to do in the US to make it great again, and 8 years in office will not be enough.
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TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher |
The saddest part about this is that the guys will never get their good reputation back. Once accused of this, it sticks to you even if all the courts in the world establish that you are not guilty. Suing that bitch for defamation would be good, but the guys will have a tough time along the way to rebuild their reputation, considering the backlash they got when they got accused firsthand. A truly sad story, with no victor, but with only victims. Not only that this proves false allegations are rampant, but in the end it will be unfavorable for women who really are abused... it will be much harder to believe their testimonies when you have so many false rape cases like this one.
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Kamil Account deleted |
Kamil
Account deleted Written by TheMAGAmvm on 06.01.2018 at 13:02 Good point actually. Those bitches don't even know, how huge damage they did for rest of females, but... ...as we well know, females in most cases are stupid and this is sad truth.
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Auntie Sahar Drone Empress |
06.01.2018 - 16:38 Written by Boxcar Willy on 06.01.2018 at 07:50 Just to throw it out there (no shame tbh), I spent 3 months in jail back in 2011, don't think that's as long as these guys, but I would like to say it's still enough to say... no it wouldn't, because I'd be smart enough to know I wouldn't want to potentially go back to even more months in jail just because I'm out for blood because of a false accusation vendetta, or further fuck up the life of a truly unstable person for whom mental treatment would probably be a better option over jailtime. Get mad, sure. Don't "get even." Revenge is a loser's game that just distracts us with the forward march that life is really about.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Auntie Sahar Drone Empress |
Written by TheMAGAmvm on 06.01.2018 at 12:42 I love the descent many have been making lately into this ludicrous idea that diplomacy and knowing when to avoid future escalation is somehow making you less of a person, you're not standing up for yourself, etc., it's absolutely unbelievable how manic and bloodthirsty some people have gotten over this shit lately. Have fun with that line of thought in World War III Realtalk, yeah, these guys got fucked with this nonsense. But if the woman who did it did indeed lie, then she's clearly unwell and probably needs some type of mental help before just further suing, court drama, and potential incarceration that is just going to make matters worse for her without addressing the core roots of her issues. And for sure, "pussification," "decline of American society," go on with all that lulz and straw man if you'd like, because I'm not saying this woman shouldn't be penalized in some way if she lied at all. All I'm saying is that, if you're looking to foment real change in her from there, that and that alone won't solve the problem. Same principle as a drug addict, drug abuse is the symptom of the disease, but not necessarily the fundamental cause. I also love how so many are getting on such a high pedestal with this and acting so entitled to their calls for revenge when we really only know probably about 30% of what happened in that courtroom and jail. Even with published info that's out already there's still probably a much bigger mountain of information that's just not going to be made public at all, and personally I'd rather not make such calls based off of that.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Boxcar Willy yr a kook |
Written by TheMAGAmvm on 06.01.2018 at 12:42 You were doing so well until this. For shame.
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Boxcar Willy yr a kook |
06.01.2018 - 19:01 Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.01.2018 at 16:38 Yes, but I'm assuming you spent that time in jail for a crime YOU committed, which makes all of the difference. 5-6 guys in jail for months, cancelling a tour with x amounts of dates is THOUSANDS of dollars lost in ticket sales, merch sales not to mention the future consequences when (if they even) try to try to book another US tour. It's simply about the money they lost out on. They have families and bills to pay just like anyone else. I don't know about you, but I'd be in some financial hot water if I didn't go to work for over 3 months.
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Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.01.2018 at 16:49 This, 100% Unfortunately, the information regarding the exoneration is a bit vague. And, like most public trials, attorneys on both sides seem to be taking a different perspective - the defense are saying 100% the band is innocent, while the prosecution are basically saying they don't have enough of a case to proceed, but seem to stop short of saying the accuser was lying. Its interesting. Hopefully more details will come to light about that, I doubt it though. Until then I'll withhold any judgement of this woman. But hypothetically: If she was verifiably lying, seeing some reparations made to the band would be good. Otherwise it's probably better just to move on. It might be a case of this woman suffering from mental health problems (as the studies on false rape allegations have frequently shown). As for people complaining about the band suffering long-term damage to their career: I highly doubt it. The fiscal damage done by spending these months in jail is undoubtedly huge, and could possibly put an end to them, but I think if they can get past this hump they'll be fine (career-wise). Looking at various metal boards, it seems the general consensus is "fuck that bitch", so I wouldn't be surprised to support for the band INCREASE from fans showing solidarity with them. I haven't seen flocks of people abandoning them, but quite the contrary.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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Taravilyaion |
Never doubted them.. Getting involved with American women in the middle of the "#Metoo" crisis is like ending up in Salem during the witch trials..
---- "The best violence against one is the violence no one ever forgets.."
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Auntie Sahar Drone Empress |
07.01.2018 - 01:09 Written by Boxcar Willy on 06.01.2018 at 19:01 Fair enough, you're not wrong in making that point. I will maintain though what I said before, I believe it's better in this case for the band to focus on getting their financial shit back together, which as Doc noted, shouldn't be too hard, especially if fans start voluntarily pouring in money buying their stuff as a sign of support in the afermath, which isn't unlikely. And on the woman's side, if she can indeed proven to have been lying, to face some sort of reparations mandated penalty and attend some sort of treatment center.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Tuonelan |
07.01.2018 - 05:20 Written by Doc G. on 06.01.2018 at 20:19 Agreed. And when we are speculating about what happened in a tour bus with a bunch of people who may or may not have been under the influence? No telling if anyone has an accurate version of what actually happened or was in any condition to make a good judgment call. No one needs to be lying for them all to have different memories of how things went down, especially if there were drugs and alcohol involved. And we don't even know that. We know jack all about this.
---- For ages we have wandered Under the wings of deception Too long have we been waiting For the long winter to end
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nikarg Staff |
Written by [user id=29268] on 06.01.2018 at 15:49 No they are not. Your comment is the only thing that's stupid.
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TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 06.01.2018 at 16:49 If you do not set an example, then false rape allegations will become even more rampant. One of the main reasons why false rape allegations are increasing is precisely because there are no consequences for the one who lied in the first place. You are entirely responsible for the choices you make, and if you chose to lie and accuse people for something they did not do, then you ought to face some consequences. If anything, just to set an example so that other people would think twice before doing this. Now don't come with that same malarkey, with women having mental illness once they commit a false rape allegation. The culture in which we live today, particularly in Western democracies is one which favors such kind of allegations. Reparations, both material and moral have to be pursued. Same principle as drug addicts? Now this is just another token that proves the pussification of the West. Snorting glue or sniffing junk is a FUCKING CHOICE! So you have to bear the responsibility of what happens AFTER you choose to snort junk. Why didn't Goering say that he was high from 1933 until 1945 (because he really was) thus demanding to be exonerated for the pile of corpses beneath the regime he run? Because it wouldn't have worked, 'cause the Nurenberg judges were not pussified liberals who would have bought into this malarkey 70 years ago. You people should stop pitying criminals. Pity the fucking real victims, which are the Decapitated guys, who had to stay months in prison and on trial, away from their families, who experienced financial losses, not to mention a degree of emotional and psychological trauma (yeah, they are men, but they are human too) for a case that was based on a false premise. Their every day life was about to be turned upside down, and now you tell us the bitch should walk free, unpunished, not taking responsibility for her deeds. Well fuck that...
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TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 06.01.2018 at 18:54 Sorry XD I'm a huge Trump/Republican fan, so you might hear me saying this more of then. I particularly like what Betsy De Vos is doing in education, ending the rampant liberal degeneration in universities there by threatening to stop financial support. Trump and the people around him are a blessing to the US. Too bad many Americans do not deserve him and his people. I wish my country had a leader like him. However, 8 years will not be enough to fix things. Hopefully, after his second election, Pence will go for president and win 2 more terms. 16 years (medium term) would be enough to make America great again!
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Karlabos |
07.01.2018 - 14:23
Keep going guys
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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