As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis, 32, has denied handing $1,000 in cash to an undercover policeman with instructions on how to kill his wife Meggan. The singer of the Grammy-nominated heavy metal band appeared in court this week after being arrested at a shop in San Diego, California. 

The judge set bail at $3 million for the singer, who now faces up to nine years in jail if convicted. Mr Lambesis' lawyer Anthony Salerno said the singer has been set up, "Law enforcement was fed something by someone who effectively orchestrated the whole thing... He did not intend to harm anybody," he said, according to BBC News. Prosecutor Claudia Grasso said the rock singer was recorded saying he wanted his wife killed, with an undercover operation staged at a local gym, "He is substantially motivated to kill his wife,'" said Grasso.

Tim's wife Meggan filed for divorce last September, according to San Diego Superior Court documents. The couple adopted three children from Ethiopia in recent years, before separating. The bail conditions prohibit Mr Lambesis from contracting his wife or children and he cannot leave the San Diego area. 

As I Lay Dying have sold more than a million albums worldwide. Last year, the band released their sixth album Awakened. According to his lawyer, Mr Lambesis is expected to make bail but it is unclear whether his band's planned 30-city US tour will go ahead.