WARNING: This story refers to incidents involving rape, kidnapping, and other violent acts that may cause distress.
Back in September, news came to light that the Polish metal band Decapitated were arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping. Now, prosecutors say they have dropped all charges against the group.
In September, Decapitated were in the middle of a tour of the United States when members of Los Angeles County’s Sheriff’s Office took members of the band into custody following an alleged kidnapping that had reportedly occurred in the Washington city of Spokane on September 1st.
Only a matter of days later, the band members were charged with rape, following accusations from the victim that the musicians had taken turns raping her on their tour bus.
At the time of the accusations, the band were confident about their innocence. “We have witnesses that can testify to the fact that the accuser came to visit the band of her own free will and left on good terms,” the band’s lawyer, Steve Graham, said at the time.
“Decapitated plan to fully fight the allegations that are brought against them, and we are fully confident that the other side of this story will be heard.”
Now, as Billboard reports, all charges against Decapitated have been dropped by prosecutors, with the “well-being of the victim” being cited as the reason for the dismissal.
“This has been traumatizing to her,” Spokane County prosecutor Kelly Fitzgerald said of the accuser. “It’s obviously something that is a multiple defender case, and it would be a lengthy trial.”
As Billboard notes, the charges were dismissed without prejudice, which does mean that the members of Decapitated can be charged again at some point in the future.
Two weeks ago, attorney Steve Graham discussed the discovery of “new evidence” which reportedly “seriously cast doubt” the case being argued by the state.
No details of this evidence have been released at this time, however reports have indicated that the bruising that investigating officials initially claimed was “consistent with being restrained” was also consistent with bruising that can occur in the mosh pit of a metal concert, where witnesses have placed the victim.
“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,” said Steve Graham. “There’s no question from our perspective that the case against these four guys was falling apart.”
“A close review of the evidence is all it took,” said Jeffry Finer, attorney for band member Rafal Piotrowski. “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.”
“All the guys are interested in putting this behind them and moving on,” Steve Graham stated.
