MR

Journey drummer pleads guilty to domestic violence

By Associated Press
POSTED: Oct 13, 2015

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/brea ... =332531352


SALEM, Ore. » The drummer for the rock band Journey has pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges.

A judge in Salem, Oregon, sentenced Deen Castronovo on Monday to four years on probation. Castronovo will be required to undergo counseling for domestic violence offenders and drug abuse.

The Marion County District Attorney's Office says Castronovo faces more than five years in prison if he violates the terms of his probation.

Castronovo was arrested June 14. Proescutors said he knowingly caused physical injury to a woman.

He was arrested again two weeks later and ordered to stay behind bars when prosecutors said he texted the woman 122 times and called her 35 times despite a no-contact order.

Castronovo has been with Journey since 1998, when he replaced Steve Smith.

Will the terms of his probation prohibit him from leaving the state, I wonder? 4 years.....long time.

If all (or at least most) of the allegations were true, this sounds like a pretty sweet deal for Deen. That said, I was hoping we'd see a trial so that more of the true story would come out. Have always had a feeling there was a lot more than meets the eye to this story.

Journey's Castronovo pleads guilty to domestic violence

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/n ... /73878544/

Kaellen Hessel, Statesman Journal October 13, 2015


Journey drummer Deen Castronovo was handed a suspended sentence and four years of probation after pleading guilty to domestic violence crimes on Monday, Oct. 12.

Castronovo, 51, pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree assault constituting domestic violence, two counts of menacing constituting domestic violence, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion.

If he violates the terms of his probation, a sentence of five years and five months in prison could be imposed.

While on probation, Castronovo cannot enter into a romantic relationship without permission from his probation officer, use controlled substances or alcohol, contact the victim, leave Oregon or enter into any bars unless for employment purposes, among other things.

Marion County Circuit Judge Jamese Rhoades also required Castronovo to undergo counseling for domestic violence and drug abuse.

Castronovo was arrested June 14 by Salem police officers following a dispute that was described as domestic violence. Attorneys said Castronovo was high on an overdose of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest.

After Castronovo posted bail and was released from jail June 15, he called the victim 35 times and text messaged her 122 times, according to the Marion County District Attorney's Office, despite being under a court order to have no contact with her. He also left voice mails during which he threatened to kill himself and told the victim he wanted her to suffer.

Castronovo was indicted by a grand jury June 29 on charges of five counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of first-degree rape, two counts of menacing, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of second-degree assault, one count of second-degree sex abuse, one count of coercion, one count of second-degree criminal mischief, and three counts of contempt of court. Nine of those charges were dismissed as part of the plea bargain.

The indictment indicated the alleged abuse took place between April 25 and June 29. Castronovo threw the victim into a wall 14 times, pulled her hair, sexually assaulted her and forced her to have sex with him, Gardiner said.

This was not the first time Castronovo has faced domestic issues.

Following a January 2012 incident at his home in West Salem, he was charged with reckless endangerment, interfering with making a police report, second-degree criminal mischief and harassment involving a woman who identified herself as Castronovo's ex-girlfriend, according to police.

In that case Castronovo was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service and attend anger-management classes as part of a diversion agreement.

Well, that's it for him and Journey, I would imagine. No way that Neal will wait 4 years to get his drummer back. I hope Deen made some good investments, because it doesn't look like he will be working any time soon. Not too many bands looking for drummers in Oregon.

No love life, no job.....for a guy that needs to stay busy, this is not good.

JOURNEY Drummer DEEN CASTRONOVO Pleads Guilty To Domestic Abuse

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/journe ... tic-abuse/


- Deen's ex-wife comments on Blabbermouth.com article -


COMMENTS -

Shelly Baughman Castronovo

I feel like the media has made people into sheep! The truth... Deidra Witmer the woman who accused Deen of these charges has had a pattern of of abad relationships. They pushed each other...yes...but she was on a flight to Cabo the day after the arrest. She was riding horses on the beach an partying 2 days after that. Deen was in a toxic relationship.
.he at the height of drug abuse...she...with 3 dui's. He did violate the no contact order due to drugs but she has been in fights with many...no prior issues with the law except with her. The same can not be said of her. I am tired of people villafying a man I have known and loved for 33 years...married for 10. He is the father of my son and another beautiful boy. PLEASE don't be so quick to cast the first stone! He was wrong in pushing her...she was wrong on pushing back!!!! He has a beautiful heart and has been clean for 104 days. Please don't judge what you don't know!

· 3 hrs

Not allowed to have a romantic relationship without permission from his probation officer.

Yet another example of the government massively over-stepping their place

What freaking right do they have to say that he needs their permission to have a romantic relationship

tater1977 wrote:JOURNEY Drummer DEEN CASTRONOVO Pleads Guilty To Domestic Abuse

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/journe ... tic-abuse/


- Deen's ex-wife comments on Blabbermouth.com article -


COMMENTS -

Shelly Baughman Castronovo

I feel like the media has made people into sheep!

In general, absolutely. It is mind blowing how many sheeple there are that believe all of the lies of the corporate media which is completely controlled by the politicians and billionaires of the world.

I guess I'd be happy that he is still alive and breathing and not in jail. Again the focus needs to be on encouraging the man to work the program and get better. Throwing shade at others really does nothing to support him; just keeps the drama going. She might consider when she is less upset about all that has happened to consider that this woman who is riding horses and vacationing in Cabo might have set the chain of events into happening which eventually saved her ex husband's life. I wouldn't care what kind of person she was or if the relationship was toxic or not; the end result was his life was saved; and maybe his fortunes have changed as well but his son still has a father.

He need to stay clean, that is the first step.

Journey/Survivor wrote:Not allowed to have a romantic relationship without permission from his probation officer.

Yet another example of the government massively over-stepping their place

What freaking right do they have to say that he needs their permission to have a romantic relationship

In this case, I completely agree with him needing permission from his probation officer. He is not a free man. We need to understand that simple fact. This is for his own good. Sometimes a person's quality of life is depended on giving up a few freedoms that you and I get to enjoy. I would believe Deen has no problem with this if his main concern is getting back right with himself and his sobriety.

If you abuse drugs and get arrested, you cant use them
If you abuse alcohol same
if you abuse women, maybe you should not be able to have relations with them?

abuse of govt, no

I love his music, but he got off way too lightly. any of us with limited funds would be doing major time.

with his ADHD... 4 years and no gigging is a LONG TIME.. that's almost a guarantee he'll be in trouble again..

If I'm Deen, I build a studio (if he doesn't have one)... and I book it year round doing drumming projects.... every damn day. People can fly in to record parts if they want... Deen was a pretty in demand drummer back in the metal days..

Lots of projects are done by sending audio files via the internet.. using the cloud, things like Dropbox...

Deen can reinvent himself and continue using his gift...


...and keep outta trouble...

slucero wrote:with his ADHD... 4 years and no gigging is a LONG TIME.. that's almost a guarantee he'll be in trouble again..

If I'm Deen, I build a studio (if he doesn't have one)... and I book it year round doing drumming projects.... every damn day. People can fly in to record parts if they want... Deen was a pretty in demand drummer back in the metal days..

Lots of projects are done by sending audio files via the internet.. using the cloud, things like Dropbox...

Deen can reinvent himself and continue using his gift...


...and keep outta trouble...

Now that's a great idea!!! Hopefully keeps him busy enough to stay out of trouble.

It would be awesome if Deen would do a solo album or two.

I'd love to hear him do one disc that's instrumental and mostly Hard Rock/Metal, and one disc that is vocal, with Deen handling all of the lead vocals. I'd like the vocal disc to be a combination of Melodic Rock and Hard Rock.

Deen always said that if he ever had the time, he'd make a solo album that sounds like Fear Factory. Here's his chance.

"...unless for employment purposes"

Doesn't this pretty much give him a way out?


later~

The band - namely Jon - sound like they're done with Deen, regardless of his options/restrictions. I think he's lucky he didn't go to jail for a really long time.

FamilyMan wrote:The band - namely Jon - sound like they're done with Deen, regardless of his options/restrictions. I think he's lucky he didn't go to jail for a really long time.

But isn't Jon basically done with Journey?
At least in terms of a lack of motivation to actually write and record with Journey, that is.

Journey/Survivor wrote:

FamilyMan wrote:The band - namely Jon - sound like they're done with Deen, regardless of his options/restrictions. I think he's lucky he didn't go to jail for a really long time.

But isn't Jon basically done with Journey?
At least in terms of a lack of motivation to actually write and record with Journey, that is.

What's the band doing these days anyways? I've not read about anything that they are doing.

JBlake wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:

FamilyMan wrote:The band - namely Jon - sound like they're done with Deen, regardless of his options/restrictions. I think he's lucky he didn't go to jail for a really long time.

But isn't Jon basically done with Journey?
At least in terms of a lack of motivation to actually write and record with Journey, that is.

What's the band doing these days anyways? I've not read about anything that they are doing.

No. I know they're not doing anything at the moment. But it certainly sounds like Neal wants to record a new Journey album somewhat soon. And I'm sure that Arnel and Ross are up for a new album, and Deen would have been. It appears to be Cain that's holding them back from a new album.

JBlake wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:

FamilyMan wrote:The band - namely Jon - sound like they're done with Deen, regardless of his options/restrictions. I think he's lucky he didn't go to jail for a really long time.

But isn't Jon basically done with Journey?
At least in terms of a lack of motivation to actually write and record with Journey, that is.

What's the band doing these days anyways? I've not read about anything that they are doing.[/quot

Neal, Jon, and Arnel are singing the national anthem at a football game...saw this in another thread.

Journey/Survivor wrote: It appears to be Cain that's holding them back ...

Been that way for quite awhile now, from a certain POV.

Journey/Survivor wrote:

JBlake wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:But isn't Jon basically done with Journey?
At least in terms of a lack of motivation to actually write and record with Journey, that is.

What's the band doing these days anyways? I've not read about anything that they are doing.

No. I know they're not doing anything at the moment. But it certainly sounds like Neal wants to record a new Journey album somewhat soon. And I'm sure that Arnel and Ross are up for a new album, and Deen would have been. It appears to be Cain that's holding them back from a new album.

Well I hope they do something soon. They've been one of my favorite bands for some time, but I'm getting tired of hearing the same songs being played over and over on the radio and whatnot.

JBlake wrote:Well I hope they do something soon. They've been one of my favorite bands for some time, but I'm getting tired of hearing the same songs being played over and over on the radio and whatnot.

I totally agree!!!

Former Journey Drummer Deen Castronovo Makes Plea Deal and an Apology

http://www.prweb.com/releases/DeenCastr ... 053686.htm


In a statement, Deen admits that he hit bottom and thanks the prosecutors for saving his life

(PRWEB) October 30, 2015

"Two weeks ago, I, Deen Catronovo, made a plea deal with Salem, Oregon prosecutors. I plead guilty to one count of coercion, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of assault 4, and 2 counts of menacing. Ref: Case #15CR23974 in Marion County Court."

"Anyone who witnessed the events remains adamant that my abrasive behavior stemmed from the fact that I was at a drug-induced psychosis level of intoxication at the time of the occurrences. Otherwise, I am an easy-going guy who loves being a father and a musician."

"After my Indictment in June, I completed a 75-day inpatient treatment program at the Hazelden Betty Ford Springbrook Center, the most comprehensive drug abuse treatment center in the State of Oregon. It was at Hazelden that I quickly realized how dire the situation had become. I made a vow to myself and my family to not only stay sober but to dedicate time telling my story, speaking to promote sobriety, being a good example to my sons and advocating for the rights and assistance of domestic violence victims. I hope by telling my story I can help prevent someone else from making the same mistakes I did."

"Taking into consideration that I have been able to stay completely sober since my Indictment in June as well as the fact that I have continued domestic violence and drug counseling without any difficulties, Judge Jamese Rhodes sentenced me to four years of probation. The probation requires me to continue the domestic violence and drug abuse counseling."

"At the sentencing I apologized to my ex-fiancé, Deidra, and her family for the hurt I have put them through. I continue to wish Deidra the best. I know Deidra is not at fault for my behavior nor the consequences I have suffered because of it. Again, I want to apologize to Deidra, her family, my family, my band-mates in Journey and the fans of Journey. I’m sorry I let you all down. I have hit my bottom and I’m taking the necessary steps to ensuring that this never happens again."

"As devastating as this was for me it was far more devastating to Deidra and our children. Had it not been for her calling the police and the intervention of the prosecutors I’d probably be dead.
I’m going to focus on my family, finding happiness in sobriety and helping others who might be going down the wrong path to avoid destruction. For now I’m taking it one day at a time and looking to discover what new path God has planned for me."



For interview requests please contact:
Cassandra Campbell
Cass(at)CassCampbellMgmt(dot)com

He looks good, and healthy in this photo. Maybe it's time for him to get back to work with Journey; while promoting his anti-domestic violence agenda. If he really means what he is saying ( it's not my place to doubt him on that) then he can be a beacon of light in a dark place among many domestic violence victims. He may not be able to save them all, but surely even one enlightened soul ( But I believe there will be more) will be well worth the effort in getting his story out. May God and Journey be with you Dean. Love can overcome many things, and second chances are made to be given. JMHO from a long time Journey fan.

methinks Dean prolly needs some away from Journey... according to Neal they'd been dealing with Deens sobriety for awhile...

Going back on the road, with all the temptations out there, is probably not a good thing for Deen right now, even if his probation would allow it. He sounds like he's on the right path, and continuing counselling is a good thing. I hope for the best for him, and that he can be a musician again.....that's what he really loves to do.

annpea wrote:He looks good, and healthy in this photo. Maybe it's time for him to get back to work with Journey...

It's not a recent photo. And a photo doesn't prove anything about sobriety anyway. Not sure where the band goes from here.