Following their extradition from Los Angeles to Spokane, all four members of Polish death metal band Decapitated have now formally been charged with rape in Spokane County. The foursome had already been charged with first degree kidnapping.
According to The Spokesman-Review, the rape charges are as follows: second degree for Rafal Piotrowski (vocals) and Waclaw Kieltika (guitar); third degree for Mikola LLysejko (drums) and Hubert Wiecek (bass).
Waclaw Kieltyka will appear in Superior Court today, said his attorney.
The four were arrested on September 9 in California on suspicion of kidnapping. During questioning, the alleged victim informed police that she had been sexually assaulted by members of the band while on their tour bus.
UPDATE: The Decapitated camp has now issued the following statement in light of the newly formalized rape charges:
"An update – following extradition from California to Washington, the band has now been charged. We'd like to emphasise; the Spokane Police Department has pressed charges as procedural formality, without doing so, they would be forced to release band – this is not a conviction or any indication of guilt or innocence. Once again, we ask that everyone wait for each party's case to be presented and await the court's decision. With that said, whilst cases are being prepared on both sides, some facts are indisputable at this point – that the original officer who took the complaint from the accuser stated, 'I do not have probable cause that a rape occurred', and it's taken a full 30 days to file charges, which is right up against the point at which the defendants would legally have had to be released.
"The band firmly refutes the allegations and are confident that once the facts and evidence have been seen and heard, they will be released and able to return home.
"Individuals who were present on the night in question with information about the case are asked to reach out to the defense lawyer, Steve Graham of Spokane, Washington."
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