Former Hatebreed drummer Nicholas Papantoniou (playing briefly with the band between 96-97) has been found guilty of the felony murder of 56-year-old Larry Dildy, the New Haven Register reports.
Also found guilty of first degree-burglary and criminal possession of a firearm, the charges are linked to events from October 2014 when Papantoniou and co-defendant William Coutermash broke into Dildy’s home.
Coutermash testified that he and Papantoniou entered Dildy’s home in Hamden, CT aiming to steal pills and money. Papantoniou meanwhile claimed that he and Coutermash did not discuss any plans to steal goods from Dildy’s home.
Papantoniou also told the jury that Dildy’s death was not intended. Accordingto the former drummer his gun went off by accident during a tussle with Dildy and he didn’t know the victim had died until he saw it on the news.
Facing up to 90 years in prison, Papantoniou sentencing hearing will take place on May 26th.
Photo courtesy of Hamden Police Department.
