As I Lay Dying's Tim Lambesis was arrested earlier this week after allegedly attempting to hire a hitman to murder his estranged wife.
The arraignment was earlier this afternoon, May 9th and according about UT San Diego pleaded not guilty to one count of solicitation of murder at his arraignment in Vista Superior Court.
Originally the prosecutor requested a $20 million bail based on his earnings but after the defense argued that was an unreasonable amount it was dropped to $3 million. Should Lambesis make bail he was ordered to stay away from his wife and children.
According to the UT, his "family, fans, band manager and band lawyer packed the courtroom" with many fans writing letters to the judge in anticipation of the hearing.
Earlier today, we learned that Tim's estranged wife filed for divorce in September citing irreconcilable difference with a laundry list of complaints that can be read here. Late last night, his band commented, although it was basically a "no comment" from the band and they were waiting to hear what comes out of the case.
The not-guilty plea is surprising because the story was originally that Lambesis was arrested by an undercover cop for soliciting him to murder his wife, but maybe there is a part of the story that has not yet been uncovered. Lambesis has to be confident of his innocence if he chose to plea in such a way.
