As previously reported, Anthrax's drummer Charlie Benante and his wife Sandra were arrested this past Friday (July 27) for domestic battery in front of a child. Arrest records indicate the pair were arrested at the Hilton Garden Inn in Elkhart, Indiana, and both were released from Elkhart County Jail on Saturday (July 28).
Here is a statement from Benante's lawyer Charlie William L. Hotopp:
"Last Friday night, Charlie Benante, drummer for the Rock band Anthrax, was assaulted several times during an altercation that sent him to the emergency room with a gash at the back of his head that required several staples to close.
"Mr. Benante and his six-year old daughter Mia had traveled to Elkart, IN to meet Mrs. Benante and her 17-year old son who was participating in a weekend baseball series. At some point, words were exchanged between Mr. Benante, Mrs. Benante and her male companion that led to a scuffle. Mrs. Benante hit Mr. Benante in the face, he pushed her away, and as he turned around to leave with Mia, Mrs. Benante assaulted him from behind, hitting him multiple times on the back of his head with a cell phone. Police were called, and both Mr. Benante and Mrs. Benante were detained for domestic battery in front of a child.
"Mr. Benante is understandably distraught by this incident and that his daughter, who he dotes on, witnessed it.
"Mr. Benante will appear in Elkhart County court this Friday, August 3rd, and we expect complete vindication."
Currently, SHADOWS FALL's Jason Bittner is filling in for ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante on drums at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.
But why is Charlie Benante not touring with ANTHRAX? Well, Charlie is currently recovering from a minor hand injury. He should be back with ANTHRAX soon! Bittner previously joined ANTHRAX on stage on November 8, 2011 at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, New York to perform the ANTHRAX classic "Madhouse". He also filled in on drums for Benante for two ANTHRAX shows in January 2006 after Charlie was forced to leave the tour early to attend to his wife Sandra, who gave birth to the couple's first child, Mia Charley Benante.
Earlier this year, Benante and ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello (who is Charlie's nephew) missed several shows on ANTHRAX's North American tour in order to spend time with Charlie's mother, who was terminally ill. On February 4, Benante informed fans via his official web site that his mother passed away.
In more ANTHRAX news, according to guitarist Scott Ian, ANTHRAX's sold-out March 15 concert at O2 Islington Academy in London, England was filmed for an upcoming DVD.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL (remaining tour dates):
7/31 – Saratoga, NY
8/1 – Buffalo, NY
8/3 – Boston, MA
8/4 – Scranton, PA
8/5 – Hartford, CT
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