Hatebreed's Former Drummer Found Guilty Of Murder

Connecticut metalcore act Hatebreed's former drummer Nicholas Papantoniou has been found guilty of felony murder, first-degree burglary and possession of a firearm, reports the New Haven Register.

When he is sentenced in May, Papantoniou could get up to 90 years in prison.

Papantoniou's co-defendant William Coutermash testified that the 2014 murder of Larry Dildy was initially to steal money or drugs from him. He said Papantoniou told Coutermash that he shot Dildy in the genitals and stomach. 

However, Papantoniou alleges the gun went off twice accidentally in the midst of a scuffle, in which Coutermash had already stabbed Dildy repeatedly and Dildy had become enraged.

Dildy's widow was reportedly pleased with the jury's decision, saying, "I’m so pleased with the jury, who listened and focused. They could tell the difference between testimony and performance. Thank you, God!"

Papantoniou's mother however, said, "I’m devastated beyond belief. I never believed it would be this harsh. I thought they’d settle on something less, like manslaughter."

Since his brief stint in Hatebreed between 1996 and 1997, Papantoniou has been making hip hop music under the guise Nickel P.