Christian metal singer 'hired hitman' to kill wife

The singer in a US metal band has pleaded guilty to trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife.

Timothy Lambesis, lead singer of Grammy-nominated band As I Lay Dying, pleaded guilty to soliciting murder during a brief court appearance in San Diego overnight.

Lambesis was arrested last year after he was recorded telling an undercover agent that he wanted his wife killed as she was limiting his access to the couple's children and holding up divorce proceedings.

Prosecutors claim that the 32-year-old provided the agent posing as a hit man specific instructions, an envelope containing $1000, pictures of his wife, her address and the security code at her residence.

When quizzed if he was sure he wanted to go through with the attack, Lambesis allegedly replied "Yes, that's exactly what I want".

The singer originally pleaded not guilty to the charge with his defence arguing he was the victim of a "scumbag snitch setup".

He remains free on bond until sentencing on May 2.

If found guilty, the singer could face up to nine years in jail.

As I Lay Dying has released six albums since forming in 2008 including the 2007 release 'An Ocean Between Us', which reached number eight on the US Billboard charts.

Source: NBC
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Martin Zavan