Posted on 01/03/2004 5:56:23 AM PST by AAABEST
The lead guitarist of a rock band — who deputies say they zapped with stun guns during a drunken fracas New Year’s Eve at the Ritz-Carlton hotel — was released Friday from the Collier County Jail.
Arrested along with Rush band member Alex Zivojinovich, 46, of Bay Colony Drive, Naples, were his son, Justin Zivojinovich, 33, and his son’s wife, Michelle Zivojinovich, 30, both of Canada.
The son and daughter-in-law were released Thursday on cash bail of $3,000 and $500 respectively.
Alex Zivojinovich — better known by the stage name Alex Lifeson — was released on a bond of $14,500 Friday after his bail was set by a judge.
He is charged with aggravated battery and battery on deputies, resisting arrest with violence and disorderly intoxication.
Justin Zivojinovich — whom deputies also subdued with stun guns — is charged with resisting arrest with violence and disorderly intoxication and his wife is charged with resisting arrest without violence.
All three are ordered to appear Jan. 26 for an arraignment hearing at which time a trial date may be scheduled.
According to Collier County sheriff’s reports:
The melee leading to their arrest began at 11:16 p.m. Wednesday in the ballroom of the posh Pelican Bay hotel.
Security guards told deputies that Alex Zivojinovich and his son, who appeared to be “extremely intoxicated,” became unruly and were interfering with the band on the stage, despite being warned not to.
Guards asked deputies to remove them from the hotel.
While deputies tried to escort the son away, Zivojinovich said his son “wasn’t going anywhere” and tried to push him in the opposite direction.
Things got more heated and deputies forced Justin Zivojinovich to the floor in a hotel stairwell.
Deputy Christopher Knott said he was forced to use a stun gun to subdue the younger Zivojinovich because he became increasingly violent.
Alex Zivojinovich started “swinging and grabbing” at Knott, screamed profanities at the deputy and knocked the officer’s radio from his uniform.
Sheriff’s Cpl. Amy Standford tried to pull Zivojinovich off Knott, but Zivojinovich grabbed her by the shirt and pushed her down several steps, bruising her knees and injuring her back and neck. She was treated at a local hospital.
Knott then zapped Zivojinovich with a stun gun to control him during the fight in which he received a bloody nose.
The rock musician went to the floor and was handcuffed.
As Knott and another deputy escorted Zivojinovich out of the hotel, Zivojinovich turned and spit in Knott’s face.
That prompted Knott and sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Scott to both zap Zivojinovich with stun guns to control him.
The musician was then treated for injuries at Naples Community Hospital before being booked into the county jail.
His attorney, Jerry Berry, said any comment would have to come from the band’s management company in Canada. Calls placed to the firm, SRO Management, were not answered Friday.
Rush, which was founded by Zivojinovich, is scheduled to go on a 30th anniversary tour this year in North America and Europe.
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He'd better be a plea bargaining fool! He's looking at a few felony charges. Any charges involving battery on a LEO in Florida require a mandatory minimum sentence of three years. More than one charge and the time can really mount up fast.
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