Decapitated Release Statement After All Alleged Rape + Kidnapping Charges Dropped
Last week, all charges of rape and kidnapping against Polish death metal band Decapitated were dropped. The band have released a statement on the issue, and what happened from their perspective.
"All charges against Decapitated have formally been dropped," the statement reads. "Arrested Sept. 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 send a sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who supported them during this difficult time, including fans, friends and family.”
Friday, Jan. 5, Spokane County prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald filed a motion to dismiss all charges brought against Decapitated, which cited "the well being of the victim" as reason to drop. The charges were dropped without prejudice, meaning the four members of the band could be prosecuted at a future date.
According to The Spokesman-Review, defense attorneys for the four members planned to cast doubt on the accuser, had the case gone to trial. The plaintiff was deemed untrustworthy by the defense based on an encounter with law enforcement, where she admitted she lied to police in regards to injuries she sustained during an assault when her boyfriend was accused of stabbing three people. The details of her assault at that time were incorrect, and she sustained them during a previous argument by her boyfriend.
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