US rocker Blythe acquitted over Czech fan death

A Prague court acquitted Tuesday the frontman of US heavy metal group Lamb of God, Randy Blythe, of charges of involuntary manslaughter over the death of a Czech fan in 2010. Blythe, 42, went on trial in February for pushing a 19-year-old fan off the stage and onto a concrete floor during a concert at a Prague club. The young man, who had reportedly tried to climb onto the stage several times, died of head injuries two weeks later. Judge Tomas Kubovec said Tuesday the promoter of the May 2010 concert had made "a very serious mistake" as regards lapses in security, the DNES broadsheet daily said on its website. The fan had also tried to climb onstage because he had misunderstood Blythe's call for greater applause which would have been "absolutely understandable for English speakers," he said. The prosecutor immediately filed an appeal but relatives of the teenager said they did not want to take further action. "It will not bring him back to life. Besides, we don't think Mr Blythe would be 100 percent guilty," DNES quoted an uncle, who was not identified, as saying. Blythe, who pleaded not guilty, admitted to having pushed the young man off the stage but insisted he saw him stand up again in the crowd. He apologised to his family, who had demanded damages worth 10 million koruna (389,000 euros, $527,000). "I have been found not guilty and acquitted of all charges against me," the Blabbermouth.net heavy metal news website quoted Blythe as saying. "I am a free man." "Please remember the family of Daniel Nosek in your thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. I only wish for them peace. Thank you for your support." Czech police first detained the singer on his arrival at Prague airport in June 2012. He was freed without charge in August but had to post 237,000 euros in bail. He left the country after committing to return for the trial.