A US man has been sentenced to prison for a vicious backstage assault on a member of the team behind the acclaimed electronic music act Rufus Du Sol.
Julio Zavala, 36, received a 90-day jail sentence and was placed on two years of probation after pleading no contest to one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury. The disturbing incident took place in November 2022 at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, following a performance by the Australian Grammy-winning group.
Details of the Violent Assault
According to court documents and reports from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, the victim was working backstage when Zavala, who was not authorised to be in the area, launched an unprovoked attack. The assault was so severe that the victim, whose name has not been released, was hospitalised with significant injuries.
Zavala was swiftly arrested at the scene by security personnel and handed over to the Los Angeles Police Department. His no contest plea resulted in the conviction, with the court mandating anger management courses as part of his probation terms.
A Statement from the Prosecution
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón commented on the case, stating, "This unprovoked violent act against a hard-working professional in the music industry is completely unacceptable. Our office will continue to work to hold accountable those who jeopardise the safety of individuals at workplaces and public events." He also extended his best wishes to the victim for a full recovery.
The case underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by artists and crew members during live events, even in secured areas.
