Ex-Mr. Bungle member Theo Lengyel found guilty of murder

Theo Lengyel, member of Mr. Bungle from 1985 to 1996, has been found guilty of first-degree murder following a six-week trial in Santa Cruz Superior Court surrounding the death of his girlfriend Alice Herrmann. He is expected to receive a life sentence when he is sentenced on November 7.

Lengyel was one of the founders of Mr. Bungle and played saxophone and keyboards on the band’s 1980s demos, as well as their first two proper studio albums, the 1991 self-titled album and the 1995 album. Disco volante.

He was arrested early this year in connection with Hermann’s murder, after previously being named as a ‘person of interest’ in her disappearance.

When the trial began in early September, Lengyel’s defense counsel essentially admitted that Lengyel had killed Herrmann, but focused on achieving a lesser conviction than first-degree murder. “The evidence will show that Lengyel killed her, but also that he loved her,” attorney Annrae Angel said in her opening statement, according to SFGATE.

There was overwhelming evidence against Lengyel, who was caught on traffic cameras driving Herrmann’s red Toyota Highlander in the East Bay the same night she was killed. Hermann’s body was found under a pile of rocks in a park in Berkeley, California, with a rope nearby. Lengyel later stated that he used the rope in a failed attempt to hang himself after killing Herrmann.

A number of character witnesses testified to Lengyel’s bizarre and shady behavior over the years. But the ultimate evidence that led to his conviction for first-degree murder was an audio recording of the actual murder, found on Hermann’s phone.

The three-hour recording was played in court on October 1, during which Herrmann was heard shouting “Stop it” 43 times, and Lengyel responding: “Why should I stop?” In an earlier part of the recording, Lengyel asked, “How do you want to die? How about if I strangle you to death?

As mentioned, Lengyel will be sentenced on November 7, after which he will most likely receive a life sentence.

The saxophonist left Mr. Bungle in 1996 due to creative differences and transitioned to a career in financial technology. He is not involved with the current incarnation of the band, which includes classic members Mike Patton, Trey Spruance and Trevor Dunn in addition to Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo.