Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe has shared details about how Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne supported him during his 2012 imprisonment in Prague. The Guardian reported these revelations.
Blythe recounted how the Osbournes went beyond public statements to offer substantial support during his legal troubles. The vocalist was charged with manslaughter after a fan died from a fall off stage. He was later acquitted.
“In 2012, I was in prison in Prague,” Blythe said. “I had paid bail, over $200,000. But the prosecuting attorney apparently did not like the fact that I had been given bail, he made some sort of objection, and I wasn’t released.”
He explained how the Osbournes stepped in to help with his situation.
“So Ozzy and Sharon both said things via social media in support of me, but more importantly, they wrote a letter to the judge attesting to my character and offering to throw an Ozzfest concert in Prague, the proceeds from which would go to any desired charity,” he continued. “They didn’t ask them to find me not guilty, they just wanted them to honour my bail.”
Blythe emphasized the significance of their gesture. He noted the financial commitment involved.
“It’s not cheap to put on an Ozzfest, so the fact that they were willing to do that, and stick up for a member of their extended musical family, speaks volumes to their character,” he said.
The vocalist also described how Ozzy’s public support affected his experience in prison.
“When I was in prison, I didn’t have access to English newspapers or the internet. I came out into the prison yard one day, and all these dudes came up to me, speaking in broken English, very excited and impressed,” Blythe recalled. “‘Ozzy Osbourne says good things for you.’”
He concluded by expressing his lasting gratitude for the support.
“When you’re in a foreign prison, and people are stoked that Ozzy is speaking up for you, it makes a difference,” he said. “I’ll always be grateful for that.”
The circumstances surrounding Blythe’s imprisonment reveal the complexity and severity of his legal situation during that period.
WTVR documented that Blythe spent 37 days in Pankrác Prison. Few inmates spoke English there. This forced him to learn some Czech and even Mongolian from his cellmates during his stay. The language barrier made his detention particularly challenging. He struggled to communicate with both guards and fellow prisoners in the foreign facility.
The financial burden of his legal troubles proved substantial beyond the initial bail amount. Wikipedia detailed that he paid bail initially set at about $200,000. The amount was later doubled to approximately $400,000 due to bureaucratic delays and objections from the prosecuting attorney. This escalation prolonged his detention significantly before he was ultimately released to await trial.
The case stemmed from a tragic incident during a 2010 Lamb of God concert in Prague. A fan named Daniel Nosek died after falling from the stage. Loudwire noted that Blythe was arrested two years later when the band returned to Prague for another performance. This caught him completely off guard as he had no prior knowledge of the pending charges.
The legal proceedings stretched over several months. This created uncertainty not only for Blythe but also for the entire metal community. The case highlighted the complex legal challenges that touring musicians can face when performing internationally. It particularly emphasized liability for incidents that occur during live performances. Blythe was eventually acquitted of all charges in March 2013. The court ruled that his actions did not constitute criminal behavior.
