Mest Rocker Avoids Murder Charge

by Natalie Finn Tue Mar 27, 3:29 PM ET

Los Angeles (E! Online) - He may have stabbed a man, but Anthony Lovato has dodged a bullet.

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.

Police had also been called Saturday night to the unidentified woman's apartment after receiving a call that Hughes and Lovato were fighting, but no arrests were made at the time, authorities said.

Lovato formed Mest with his cousin, Matt Lovato, in 1995. Joined by guitarist Jeremiah Rangel and drummer Nick Gigler, the punk-rock quartet self-released their debut album, Mo' Money, Mo' 40z in 1998. The Blue Island, Illinois natives then released four more albums on Madonna's Maverick label.

Their self-titled fourth album in 2003 boasted the single "Jaded," featuring Lovato's good pal, Good Charlotte strummer Benji Madden. Mest's final offering, 2005's Photograph, peaked at position 116 on the Billboard 200.

The men of Mest went their separate ways in January 2006, with Lovato writing in a posting on the band's MySpace page that the breakup promised to be way harder for him than for the fans.

"We are not turning our backs on our fans," Lovato wrote. "Come on. Someday I'll explain the reason/reasons. I debated telling everyone but figured it's better to be honest and to let the people know that want to see us one last time.

"It's been 10 years, five records and I've seen the world. It's been my life. Trust me, this is harder on me than any of you. I wouldn't have changed a thing."

(Originally published Monday, Mar. 26, at 1:43 p.m. PT)