A Legal Defense Amid Serious Allegations
Brady Ebert, the former guitarist for the band Turnstile, has formally claimed that his actions were a matter of “self-defense” following an incident in which he allegedly struck the father of Turnstile frontman Brendon Yates with his vehicle. The claim was made during a recent hearing before a Baltimore district court commissioner, where Ebert stated, “I’m sorry, but this is pure self-defense. I was straight-up attacked.”
Ebert was arrested by Maryland authorities on March 31 on charges including first-degree assault and second-degree attempted murder. He is currently being held without bond. The incident, which occurred two days prior to his arrest, resulted in the 79-year-old victim being hospitalized with injuries. According to official statements from the band, the elder Yates has since undergone surgery and is in the process of recovery.
Details of the Confrontation
Police documentation regarding the incident, which reportedly cites security footage of the altercation, provides a harrowing account of the events that transpired on Timberlake Drive. According to the report:
At 4:39 p.m., Brady Ebert is observed turning on to Timberlake Drive from Seibel Drive honking his horn while driving a gold Buick LeSabre. William Yates can be seen coming down the driveway to warn Chris and Erin Gerber that he is coming around the corner.
As William Yates gets to the bottom of the driveway where Chris and Erin Gerber are parked, Brady Ebert turns the corner on to Timberlake Drive and swerves towards William Yates who backs up in to the driveway to avoid being hit. William Yates then throws a rock which he grabbed on his way down the driveway and hit the rear door of Brady Ebert’s vehicle. Erin Gerber grabbed her 3 year old son and dragged him into the front lawn to avoid being struck by Brady Ebert.
Erin Gerber then pleads with Brady to stop as Brady Ebert places the vehicle into reverse backing up towards William Yates who begins to walk up his driveway. Brady Ebert then places the vehicle in to drive, accelerates quickly. and makes a sharp left turn into the driveway striking William Yates who was attempting to run in to the front lawn away from Brady Ebert. Brady Ebert continues driving into the front lawn, makes a sharp right turn towards Erin Gerber who is holding her 3 year old son, crosses the driveway, and drives across the other side of the front lawn fleeing the area on Timberlake Drive.
A History of Conflict
Turnstile officially severed ties with Ebert in 2022. Since his departure, the band has been vocal regarding the guitarist’s history of volatile behavior. In a statement released following his arrest, the band addressed the situation with a sense of finality.
“After exhausting every available resource to support his access to help and recovery, a boundary ultimately had to be set when healthy communication was no longer possible and he began threatening violence,” the band wrote. “We have no language left for Brady. Please respect our privacy in this time.”
As the legal proceedings continue, representatives for Turnstile have declined to provide further comment on the matter. The band, which recently celebrated a Grammy win, continues to move forward with their scheduled performances.
