As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis appeared in San Diego, CA’s North County Superior Courthouse today, May 17th, to attend his newly-granted bail review hearing. The hearing was held in a bid to get Lambesis‘ bail of $3 million USD lowered. His defense was successful in some regards, getting the bail amount dropped to $2 million USD—an amount his attorney has stated his client still can’t afford.
According to CBS8 correspondent Shannon Handy, the defense have alleged that the murder for hire plot was a result of Lambesis‘ steroid usage. It was also stated in initial reports that Lambesis is having steroid withdrawals while in custody.
Lambesis has remained in custody since his arrest last Tuesday (May 07th) as part of a police sting in regards to a murder-for-hire plot he allegedly hatched against his estranged wife, Meggan Lambesis—who filed for divorce from him this past September.
Last week Tim pled not guilty to the charge of Solicitation To Commit Murder. During his arraignment the prosecution stated that they have audio of Lambesis soliciting an undercover agent to kill his ex-wife, along with various other evidence.
Update – May 17th 5:58pm:
According to utsandiego.com, Lambesis‘ lawyer, Thomas Warwick, stated that Lambesis‘ “thought processes were devastatingly affected by his steroid use.” It was also said that Lambesis began taking steroids after getting heavily into body building in recent years. Furthermore, it was revealed that the defense had originally hoped to get the bail down to $250,000 USD today.
Prosecutor Claudia Grasso also put forth some new information, chiefly that the undercover informant—who was described as actually being an undercover detective—told Lambesis that the hit on his wife Meggan would cost $20,000. Grasso said that Lambesis “was very willing to pay” that amount. He later handed the undercover detective an envelope containing $1000 cash—apparently as a down payment—along with Meggan‘s address and security codes.
Update #2 – May 17th 9:44pm:
A report on today’s bail review hearing filed at nbcsandiego.com offered up even more details on today’s events. An excerpt from it reads:
“[Tom] Warwick said Lambesis’ troubles began when he got into bodybuilding and “gym culture.”
The frontman started taking supplements, then steroids, that led to what Warwick referred to as “changes in his physiological and mental status.”
He went from 170 to 220-pounds and in his attorney’s words, “Was not the same person. He was irritable and lost God.” A forensic psychiatrist who consulted with the defense said Lambesis got “roid rage” after using steroids.
His attorney said Lambesis is now off steroids, going through withdrawal, and in total isolation in jail for protection from other inmates. He’s also getting personal counseling from a jail chaplain.
“It has been a terrible tragedy,” Warwick said in court while arguing for lower bail. “He was a very caring, gentle man [before taking steroids] and we need to get him back.”
