Mest Rocker Lovato Avoids Murder Charge

Punk rocker Tony Lovato has dodged a bullet this week after being held by police on suspicion of murder.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has opted to not file charges against the former lead vocalist of the Illinois punk band Mest, who was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder and booked for criminal homicide.

The 26-year-old rocker claimed that he stabbed Wayne Hughes, 25, in self-defense after the two got into an argument Sunday shortly after 8 a.m. in the parking garage of a Studio City apartment building where a woman who authorities say both men dated lives.

Prosecutors found "insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the killing was not a justifiable use of reasonable force in self-defense," D.A.'s Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.

Lovato called 911 himself and willingly surrendered when officers arrived at the scene Sunday, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Lieutenant Andrew Neiman said.

The "Jaded" rocker told police that Hughes had assaulted him and then, "at some point, Mr. Lovato produced a knife and the victim was stabbed," Neiman said.

Punk Rock Singer Held for Stabbing Death

The lead singer of now defunct punk rock group Mest, Tony Lovato, is being held on suspicion of murder, after police say he confessed to the stabbing of his ex's new lover.

Tony Lovato, 26, was held on $1 million bail after telling police that he was assaulted earlier in the day by Wayne Hughes, 25, in the underground parking lot of an apartment building in the suburb of Studio City.

"At some point, Mr. Lovato produced a knife and the victim was stabbed," said Lt. Andrew Neiman of the Los Angeles Police Dept. "He has been booked for criminal homicide."

Neiman said police had been called to the apartment the night before following a report of an altercation between the two, but no arrests were made.

Mest, which formed in suburban Chicago, recorded four albums for Madonna's Maverick Records before breaking up in early 2006. Its last album, 2005's "Photographs," peaked at No. 116 on the U.S. album charts.

Lovato's band, Mest, was formed in 1996, by Lovato and his cousin Matt. Tony's brother Steve played guitar for the band, but left after a short time due to creative differences. Before their breakup in 2006, Mest also collaborated with Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, who performed on one of their albums.

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