Von Bondies have made their first public statement about JACK WHITE’s court case – saying “justice has prevailed”.
As previously reported on NME.COM, Jack appeared in a Detroit court this week (March 9) where he pleaded guilty to assault and battery. The charge relates to a fight in December last year when he got into a bar brawl with Von Bondies’ singer Jason Stollsteimer at the Detroit Magic Stick.
Jack won’t have to serve jail time but will pay a $500 fine and $250 in court costs. The singer has been told not to contact Stollsteimer, and he will have to attend anger management classes.
In a statement issued exclusively to NME.COM this morning (March 11) by Von Bondies’ management, the group say they’re “relieved” the court case has ended.
The statement reads: “Unlike Mr. White, we have been consistent and unwavering in our statement of December 15, 2003: Jason Stollsteimer was violently attacked by Jack White in an unprovoked incident at the Magic Stick nightclub in Detroit on December 13, 2003.
“As a result of this incident, Mr. White was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery. Mr. Stollsteimer was never charged with any crime.
“Now, the facts and evidence have been presented. Mr. Stollsteimer did not, at any time, lay a hand on Mr. White, but was a victim of Mr. White’s rage. On March 9, 2004, in ‘People vs. John A. White’, Mr. White pled guilty to the charge of assault and battery on Mr. Stollsteimer. We are glad that the truth has finally been told and that justice has prevailed.
“As one of his penalties, Mr White has been ordered to attend anger management classes. We are relieved that this chapter has finally come to a close; Mr White will address his anger issues and both The Von Bondies and Mr. White can get back to doing what they do best: making music.”
36th District Court Judge Paula Humphries heard Jack had punched and spat at the Von Bondies star during the brawl which started after Jack took offence at Jason’s comments in the press about him.
Speaking after the hearing Jack read out his own statement to reporters, which read: “This was a personal matter and not a press promotion. I regret allowing myself to be provoked to the point of getting into a fistfight but I was raised to believe that honour and integrity mean something and that those principles are worth defending.”
White’s lawyer Wally Piszczatowski added: “We’re very happy with the result and we’re happy that the most highly celebrated bar-scuffle in the history of the city of Detroit has finally come to an end. Jack is pleased he can focus on what he does best, which is making music and attending to his very busy schedule, and can do so without having to think about the criminal charges.”