Asheville News

Former Skynyrd drummer’s trial starts in Florida

Jason Sandford August 25, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

You can background posts about Artimus Pyle, who as far as I know lives in the Asheville area, here and here.

Here’s the story from StAugustine.com:

Prosecutors this morning will tell a jury of four women and two men that a former drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd should be convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in St. Johns County, even though the defendant was a North Carolina resident at the time.

Thomas Delmer Pyle, 61, who performs as Artimus Pyle, is charged with two counts of failing to register.

He also is charged with failing to change an incorrect address on his driver’s license.

The jury, which includes two alternates, was taken from a pool of 20 county residents brought into the courtroom of St. Johns Circuit Judge Wendy W. Berger.

Pyle, dressed in a cream-colored jacket over dark pants, was visibly upset as jury selection took practically all of the court’s time on Monday. He occasionally fidgeted with his broad-brimmed cowboy hat, hand-woven of thick and narrow straw.

He began breathing heavily as the afternoon session began, reacting to the built-up anxiety.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Ashvegas blog bits: Orange Peel expansion, Asheville Brewing growlers, etc.

On the streets of Ashvegas: Future site of Sweet Rock Candy Mountain

5 Comments

R Bernier August 27, 2009

I think he should have his day in court & then if convicted, put this guy away for a long time.

Its clear from the smoke, their is a fire here.

RB

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cmanmom August 27, 2009

I also know Artimus and his family personally, including his two daughters who were the "alleged victims" many years ago. I personally drove one of his daughters to Artimus’s house 2 years ago so they could all celebrate Christmas together. Again, if people knew the real story that these were claims made in anger, in a domestic situation by a scorned woman who had two children with Artimus but could not make claims to his money….then public opinion might be very different. (this part can’t be printed in the media due to privacy acts for the children…) There was never any true investigation into these claims, only a he-said/she-said. Artimus made the mistake by reluctantly pleading guilty years ago, ONLY to try and spare his children a crazy, public trial. And at that time, the probationary status was time-limited….which he abided to! On another note, I have intimate knowledge of child sex offenders and victims as I have a doctorate degree in clinical psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. In NO way does Artimus fit the "profile" of an offender….never has, never will. And if those charges occurred today, which are VERY common in domestic/custody disputes, I KNOW that they never would have gotten past the initial allegations given that there was never any proof to the accusations. His daughter (the alleged victim) told me the other day… "they took my pops away from me years ago, I just can’t have them do it again". She was a victim of LIES by her mother….NEVER a victim of abuse by her father. The truth will come out soon enough. Until then, please withhold your judgment and maybe try to have some compassion for a family and a man who has suffered unduly.

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don talley August 25, 2009

If anyone is interested in hearing Artimuses side of the story they should read "
Freebirds: the Lynyrd Skynyrd Story". There are usually two sides to every story. I have no personal knowledge of the events of 20 years ago, but do know Artimuses character today.

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Johnny Van Zant August 25, 2009

Doesn’t look like Artimus lives in N.C. anymore. It appears he moved to Virginia in 2007. Check out his work listing on the Virginia Sex Offender Web site. Wonder what that’s about?

http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/offenderDetails.html?regId=22564

http://sexoffender.ncdoj.gov/details.aspx?SRN=015589S7

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don talley August 25, 2009

Those who know Artimus know that Artimus is paying the price for
a) being a public figure
b) not allowing himself to be blackmailed by a angry ex-wife
c) not playing hardball and standing up for himself from the beginning

Those who know Artimus know that he is a kind and caring person, and a wonderful father who plead guilty in order to spare his children from a painful and emotional media circus.

Unfortunately, Those who don’t know Artimus will be quick to believe the salacious stories and jump to conclusions that this man is an evil child molester and a danger to the community.

This comment in the St Augustine newspaper is very appropriate:

"The Girls in question are his daughters and there mother was trying to blackmail him for money using the threat of these false charges. He never thought she would do it. I have met his daughters and his family now. The girls have told me of the wild accusations orchestrated by their mother. To Protect the girls from court and the media Artimus has subjected himself to a life of hell no man should ever have to endure. As if the first case wasn’t enough. This is a tragedy that should have been averted by Artimus himself by Filing as ordered by court.
But That’s all he is guilty of.
Stop calling him a threat.
He is the kindest most gentle soul I have ever had the honor to know."

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