By-Tor.com

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:11 pm**

Read it and weep people.
Official charges are filed.
From the NaplesNews.http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/news/art ... 09,00.html

Formal charges filed against Rush guitarist
By JOHN HENDERSON, jfhenderson@naplesnews.com
March 22, 2004

Prosecutors in Southwest Florida have filed charges against the lead guitarist for the internationally known rock group Rush related to an altercation he had with Collier County deputies at the Ritz Carlton, Naples,on New Year's Eve.

The State Attorney's Office has filed two charges of battery on a law enforcement officer against Alex Zivojinovich, 50, known on stage as Alex Lifeson. He is a part-time resident of North Naples.

Zivojinovich, one of the founding members of Rush, was arrested after a scuffle with deputies.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office had arrested Zivojinovich on six charges. The arrest charges include four felonies, the most serious of which could have resulted in 30 years in prison if convicted.

However, after an arrest it is up to the State Attorney's Office to decide which formal charges to file, if any.

Under the revised charges, the guitarist's potential prison time if he is convicted has been reduced substantially from what it could have been under the original charges.

The two third-degree felonies he now faces could be punishable by five years in prison if he is convicted.

The State Attorney's Office also filed a charge against Zivojinovich's son, Justin. He is facing one count of resisting an
officer with violence. Prosecutors dropped a charge of disorderly intoxication against him, as they did against Alex Zivojinovich.

Arrest reports said the altercation between Alex Zivojinovich and deputies began after his son got up on the Ritz house band's stage after being warned not to do so. The reports state Justin Zivojinovich became verbally abusive after he was asked to leave the stage, where a band led by Freddy Cole was performing at the $650-a-couple event. Cole is the 71-year-old younger brother of the late, legendary performer Nat King Cole.

Arrest reports state Alex Zivojinovich intervened when deputies were escorting his son off the property. The reports accuse Alex Zivojinovich of pushing a female deputy down a stairwell and spitting in another deputy's face. Alex Zivojinovich left the jail with a blood-stained shirt and broken nose.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:23 pm**

Thanks for that, Chas hon.

Poor Al. What a mess!

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:33 pm**

Just the fact they didn't throw the book at him makes me wonder if the state's case isn't airtight?

Just a thought, a musing...

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:01 pm**

I don't like the sound of that

That whole situation was handled poorly, there is absolutely no reason to break someone's nose. They're police officers, not street fighters. They should learn how to disable aggressors with appropriate force, people who don't know how to do that are forced to use excessive force.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:20 pm**

My point is either a) the charges will be dismissed, or b) he'll get a light sentence. I don't think the situation was handled in the correct manner.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:33 pm**

Oh, Chas, I just posted this in the "Rush Announcements" forum. Apologies for not checking here first.

Best thoughts for Alex!

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:39 pm**

Who's making the

FREE ALEX LIFESON!

T-shirts??

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:40 pm**

FREE LERXT!

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:28 pm**

*Lifesonite wrote:FREE LERXT!

.....with every packet of Kellogs Corn Flakes.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:35 pm**

This whole thing has smelled bad from day one.

<_<

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:53 pm**

Kares4Rush wrote:Oh, Chas, I just posted this in the "Rush Announcements" forum. Apologies for not checking here first.

Best thoughts for Alex!

No worries. That's probably where i should have posted it anyway.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:58 pm**

At least the potential 30 year charge that carried a mandatory 5 years minimum has gone.
Worst case he gets 5 years now. But it's unlikely he'll get time. Not impossible, just unlikely. Jerry Berry seems to have things under control.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:59 pm**

*Lifesonite wrote:FREE LERXT!

So when do we bust him out, eh?

Posted: **Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:45 am**

He isn't convicted yet, patience my dear.

Posted: **Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:49 am**

*Lifesonite wrote:He isn't convicted yet, patience my dear.

My dear?

By-Tor.com

Alex is charged

Alex is charged