As I Lay Dying Frontman Tim Lambesis Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison

Tim Lambesis, the lead singer for metalcore band As I Lay Dying, was sentenced to 6 years in prison on Friday.

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to planning to kill his wife, Meggan. The couple had separated and Meggan restricted Lambesis to see their three adopted children. Furthermore, he was angered at the amount of money that Meggan would get in their divorce settlement.

Mirror UK reports that the As I Lay Dying frontman asked a personal trainer at his gym if he knew someone that could kill his wife. The trainer alerted the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and they sent an undercover detective to have a meet-up with Lambesis.

During the meeting, Lambesis gave the undercover detective — who posed as a hitman — photos of Meggan, codes for security gates, and the address where she was staying. He also gave specific dates wherein he would spend time with their three children, in order for him to have an alibi when authorities questioned him.

Lambesis’ guilty plea was part of an agreement that will help keep him out of prison for a maximum sentence of 9 years. Also part of the plea was his admission that he paid the undercover detective $1,000 for the murder of Meggan, and an additional $19,000 when the death of his wife has been confirmed.

According to Examiner, Lambesis’ 6-year sentence already includes 48 days of credit that he has already served.

Lambesis’ attorney said that the former As I Lay Dying frontman’s behavior was out of character and was the result of using steroids. However, the presiding judge told him that plenty of men use steroids, and they do not plot to kill their wives.

Lambesis spoke in court and said that he feels deep remorse over what he has done. “I want to thank you for your prayers in the midst of everything that I’ve done, that you still have the heart that you do,” he said. His former bandmates Josh Gilbert, Phil Sgrosso, and Nick Hippa were at the courtroom when his sentence was read.

Meggan’s family was also present, and they said that they feared for her life, adding that being in prison is a great alibi for Lambesis to continue what he started. The judge agreed to the statement and said that Meggan and the three children will be receiving protection for the next 10 years.

As I Lay Dying was founded in 2000 and has released six albums. With their band frontman behind bars, the band has released a statement saying, “As I Lay Dying is sleeping rather than dead.” The remaining band members have recorded new songs with a different singer, and the record will be released under a different name.

[Image via delhitel]