Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Big news for Asheville’s Artimus Pyle. From Jacksonville.com:
Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle was acquitted Friday of failing to register as a sex offender and lying on a driver’s license application.
Jurors deliberated four hours after a five-day trial before delivering their verdict, ending the 61-year-old rocker’s latest legal ordeal.
Pyle hugged and kissed his lawyers and numerous friends and family who showed up to support him.
“I feel very blessed,” he said. “I was in the hands of six people that really paid attention.”
He said waiting for the verdict was in some ways more stressful than the aftermath of the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, the road manager and two pilots.
“I have never felt a feeling in my life like the feeling of waiting for that verdict,” he said. “It’s a feeling so deep inside you. It’s so hollow, and you feel so helpless.”
Pyle said the acquittal now frees him up to ask the governor to set aside his 1993 guilty pleas to attempted capital sexual battery and lewd assault charges on two young girls in Jacksonville Beach. He will have plenty of supporters in that effort, including one of the girls, his now-20-year-old daughter Kelly, who said Friday she believes the crime never happened.
Kelly Pyle was in court for much of the trial to support her father, who she didn’t meet until she was 18. She said she has never believed her father sexually assaulted her or any other child.
“If those charges were true, I wouldn’t be here supporting my dad,” she said. “I love him, and I know that he is a good person.”
She said he pleaded guilty because the state offered him probation and he was facing a potential of 25 years to life in prison.
In closing arguments Thursday, Assistant State Attorney Kelly Wark confessed a love for Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music but urged jurors not to be swayed by “sympathy or sadness at the tainting of an American legend.”
Artimus, I am glad you are free, and I hope all is well from here on out! Keep playing music and contributing to the performing arts history of our era and of this nation!
Artimus is remarkable human being, kind and loving…he deserves vindication..restoration…his artistry is awe inspiring.He is one of the people that makes this world a better place!
Only Verdict there could have been! Haven’t seen My Bro, My Friend since December. I will have to give a big hug from ‘all’ of us. On my to see he and Woody now in Black Mountain. We’ll sit and talk of times before ……….. Get out some Great music, see Bro’s and friends, let nature take it’s coarse, and until next time. Life’s Good
good for you artimus. patience has its own reward. keep up the fight and the faith, brother.
Glad to hear it. Now maybe his name can once and for all be cleared…. Rock On Brother!!!!!!
This is indeed good news. I have known from day one that Artimus was set up like a bowling pin. He is a good American, a good Marine, a good man and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Legend. He is also my friend. I sincerely hope his name can now be cleared. Given that the alleged victim says it never happened…. We love you Arti!
Good news. He was drug through the mud long enough. Now lets hope they leave him be.
I’m so happy for the Pyle family. Artimus is a rare individual, full of kindness and love. I am truly overjoyed for him.
Finally the truth of the whole matter can start coming out! The media could never print who the "alleged victims" were due to privacy of child victims….but now that the "girls" are grown, the truth can be known that this was a DOMESTIC situation about a woman trying to extort money from Artimus and using their children as the pons in her twisted game. Artimus’s daughters are the first people to say that they were NEVER abused by their father and that they are ALL victims of their mother’s lies. Artimus has been tortured for years in his efforts to try and protect his children. Soon, his name will be cleared of these original charges, and maybe the family can once again feel some peace!!!!!
Artimus Pyle Acquitted of all charges I am so proud of that jury they saw the truth. And delivered the acquittal.Thank you for seeing the truth
glad to hear of it, I hope he & his family can get back to a normal way of life now.