As I Lay Dying Frontman Pleads Guilty

The frontman appeared in Vista Superior Court near San Diego after initially pleading not guilty last May. He’s due back in court for his sentencing May 2. Lambesis faces up to nine years in prison for the felony along with a $10,000 fine, according to San Diego’s KGTV ABC10.

After Lambesis reportedly asking a trainer at his gym if he knew anyone who could kill his wife, an undercover operation was staged. The musician is accused of giving the undercover agent an envelope with $1,000 in cash along with his wife’s photograph, address and security gate codes. Plus, Lambesis had come up with an alibi by providing specific dates when he would have the couple’s children. He was arrested May 7.

NBC 7 San Diego reports that the deputy testified Lambesis solicited the murder because his wife was going to get up to 60 percent of his income and wouldn’t allow their children to go on tour with him.

His wife, Meggan Lambesis, filed for divorce in September 2012. According to the Associated Press, the filing noted that the singer had fallen asleep while he was supposed to be watching their three young children near a pool. When he wasn’t busy touring six months out of the year, he was reportedly spending endless hours at the gym and thousands of dollars on tattoos.

The last update from As I Lay Dying was a May 15 announcement that the metalcore act was canceling its tour with Killswitch Engage “in light of recent events.” The group said, “Given the circumstances, we feel that it is best for the band to be off the road while the current situation gets sorted. We’d like to thank all of our fans for their ongoing support at this difficult time.”