Tim Lambesis Pleads Not Guilty

May 9, 2013 Angela Mastrogiacomo anticipation, arraignment, article excerpt, as I lay dying, band singer, courtroom, defense attorney, global connections, heavy metal band, hit man, infectious magazine, investigators, lawyer, lead singer, music, musician, oceanside store, solicitation, tim lambesis

Tim Lambesis has plead not guilty after Tuesday’s arrest, and his bail has been set at $3 million. You can read an article excerpt after the jump.

A heavy-metal band singer accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill his wife was ordered to be held on $3 million bail Thursday.

Tim Lambesis, 32, lead singer of the band As I lay Dying, pleaded not guilty to one count of solicitation of murder at his arraignment in Vista Superior Court.

His family, fans, band manager and band lawyer packed the courtroom, and many wrote letters to the judge in anticipation of the hearing.

The prosecutor argued that Lambesis be held on $20 million bail, citing the musician’s wealth and global connections, but his defense attorney argued that the amount was unreasonable. If he bails out, he was ordered to stay away from his wife and their three children.

Authorities said they learned May 2 that Lambesis was soliciting someone to kill his wife. He was arrested Tuesday at an Oceanside store by sheriff’s investigators.