Cannibal Corpse has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support guitarist Pat O’Brien.
In one of the more bizarre stories from the metal community of late, O’Brien was arrested on charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
Authorities were reportedly called to O’Brien’s home in Northdale, FL when it caught fire last week. While fire-fighters struggled to contain the blaze due to exploding ammunition inside, including two military-styled flamethrowers, O’Brien was elsewhere committing the aforementioned robbery.
Yes- there is a hell of a lot going on there. Exploding ammunition, flamethrowers, and robberies. Death metal folks.
Police subdued O’Brien with a taser before bringing him before the court in a suicide jacket
The band are yet to officially release a statement regarding the incidents but have launched their campaign in order to help him “get back on his feet.”
Run by Deana Mazurkiewicz, wife of Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, the campaign makes no mention of legal fees but urges people to suspend judgment for the time being.
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Check out O’Brien’s guitar work on this Cannibal Corpse classic
“Pat does not have insurance and lost everything that he owns. These funds will help him get back on his feet with the regular much-needed necessities like clothing, a roof over his head, and other daily life necessities that are needed” reads the description of the campaign, set up on Might Cause.
“I asked that people do not jump to conclusions until the full details of what occurred come out and that you show Pat nothing but love and support and let him know that you’re there for him. Although the last 48 hours have been shocking to most people, they’ve been devastating to him.”
O’Brien had bail set at $50,000 on the condition of passing a drug test, but if found guilty he could have a life sentence, with both crimes he is accused of being first-degree felonies in the state of Florida.
Cannibal Corpse was announced as a support act for the next North American leg of Slayers current farewell tour, which thrashes on and on. It’s unclear how these circumstances will affect the plans of the band moving forward.
Lighten up your afternoon with The Chaser’s take on Cannibal Corpse
