Metal Anarchy

According to the Mariposa Gazette, Cancer Christ vocalist Anthony Mehlhaff has officially pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an August 2024 rampage near Yosemite National Park. The amended charges in that case include “kidnapping, robbery, theft, vandalism, and assault with a deadly weapon.” He was also charged with “battery of a police officer,” but that count and several others have since been reduced to misdemeanors.

A previous report said the following about the initial arrest:

“It all started [on a] Wednesday afternoon around 1:45pm in the Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County on Hwy 120. Anthony Mehlhaff 40 years old from Los Angeles, CA walked up to a pregnant waitress in a local restaurant. He reached out and touched her stomach and reportedly said “the spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me, and what time is your break because I will be waiting for you.”

Mehlhaff then stole several drinks, assaulted another employee of the restaurant and sped off in his vehicle towards Yosemite National Park. At 3pm multiple calls began coming in to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Emergency 911 center. Reports of a possible car chase, kidnapping, assault, stolen vehicles, and other suspicious circumstances all occurring near Fish Camp.

Yosemite National Park rangers attempted to stop Mehlhaff on Hwy 41 inside the Yosemite National Park boundaries. Mehlhaff continued to the Fish Camp area where he crashed his vehicle and stole a bicycle, but not before he reportedly took off his shirt handed it to a bystander and said “you’ll want to keep this, I’m going to be famous”.

Mehlhaff then entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through a back door, placed his hat and other items inside a refrigerator, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began threatening workers.

Mehlhaff made his way out of the lodge kitchen and walked to a creek area near the Tenaya Lodge Clubhouse, where he removed his pants, wallet and car keys. He then entered the Clubhouse in only his underwear, told the customers to leave or they would be in danger. Mehlhaff then began vandalizing the Clubhouse. He then took the store managers car keys and attempted to kidnap the store manager while assaulting him and attempting to force him to drive Mehlhaff out of the area. The store manager was able to get out of Mehlhaff’s grasp.

Mehlhaff stole the store manager’s vehicle and continued driving on Hwy 41 towards Oakhurst. While driving on Hwy 41 Mehlhaff encountered a Tesla and began extreme road rage behavior, tailgating the Tesla while making aggressive hand gestures. Mehlhaff eventually began ramming the Tesla. Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputies in the area located both vehicles and attempted to stop Mehlhaff.

Mehlhaff eventually crashed the stolen vehicle on Hwy 41 just outside of the town of Oakhurst. Mehlhaff was taken into custody. While being medically cleared at a local hospital, Mehlhaff began assaulting Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputies. He was eventually booked in to the Mariposa County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail.

While searching Mehlhaff’s vehicle registered to him, an Enola Gay smoke grenade was located inside the door panel. The Merced Bomb Squad was called in to handle the device”

Mehlhaff has since gone to court following the incident. The hearing, which took place last month, saw him pleading not guilty to the charges.

Notably, the Mariposa Gazette also offered some more details on Mehlhaff‘s mental state. The musician, who was previously sober, started using magic mushrooms and THC. His ex-wife says “he never drank” and “never did drugs” due to a family history of mental health issues. However, after they separated, he started engaging in substance abuse.

The article also revealed that the Yosemite rampage was not his first offense. Prior to the incident, Mehlhaff was on an involuntary psychiatric hold. He also “barricaded himself in a room of the hospital and tore the place apart” resulting in $5,000 worth of damage. He also allegedly assaulted and caused issues with hospital staff. An arrest was made, but the facility chose not to press charges.

After the Yosemite incident, Mehlhaff continued to suffer mental issues while in custody. At one point, he even told a therapist the following:

“The town’s upset with me because I found out some Erin Brockovich shit with this town. I discovered weird things about Yosemite. It will come out in court.”

He also made more concerning comments during a phone call with his sister:

““Going on a f***ing high-speed chase with two cars and running from the law is what bad boys do and I am a bad boy, okay? That’s what we do, and it was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life okay. Until I get out of here and then I’m gonna have more fun.”

Two forensic psychiatrists have since diagnosed him with bipolar disorder, complex trauma, and cannabis use disorder / hallucinogen use disorder. However, he has refused medication.

It’s also worth mentioning that Mehlhaff‘s mother suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and he suffered a rough childhood as a result. The psychiatric assessment also backed up claims that his rampage was related to the effects of the psilocybin and THC.

Mehlhaff‘s legal team are currently seeking a mental health diversion. As such, if he is willing to undergo two years of treatment and therapy, he may get his charges dropped. Despite this, the Mariposa County District Attorney is seeking to oppose the motion.

[via The PRP]