AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is no longer facing a murder-for-hire charge after New Zealand prosecutors say there isnt enough evidence to proceed.
But thats not the end of Rudds days in court.
The 60-year-old still faces other charges, including threatening to kill and the possession of marijuana and methamphetamine.
Threatening to kill comes with a maximum prison term of seven years. Attempting to procure murder comes with a maximum 10 year prison sentence.
In a statement, Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said his office became responsible for prosecuting Rudd after he had been charged by police and had appeared in court.
"The file was obtained today and reviewed," Hollister-Jones said Friday, adding he "made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder."
Rudd was taken into custody on Thursday morning local time. A search warrant was also executed on his home in Tauranga. At the time, "he was accused of attempting to hire one person to kill two others, and of threatening to kill another," The New Zealand Herald reported.
The Australian-born Rudd was released on bail after entering no plea in Tauranga District Court.
Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey said the decision to charge Rudd was made by police without consulting with prosecutors. He added in a statement printed by The New Zealand Herald that Rudd will defend himself against the threatening to kill charge. Mabey called the drug possession charges minor. He added:
The charge alleging an Attempt to Procure Murder should never have been laid. The Crown Solicitors opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn within twenty four hours of Mr Rudd's first appearance in Court.
Mr. Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified.
The damage to Mr. Rudd is incalculable. Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him with Attempting to Procure Murder.
Citizens are entitled to a responsible exercise of the power to charge which, as is proved here, can give rise to potentially irreversible damage if that power is not exercised responsibly.
Rudd has lived in New Zealand since being kicked out of Australian band in 1983. He rejoined AC/DC about a decade later.
On its website, the band said in a statement that they only became aware of the charges as news broke.
We have no further comment, the statement reads. Phils absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year. Rudd was not included in promotional shots for the new album, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Rock or Bust is due to be released on Dec. 2 and will be the band's first new studio album in six years. The band plans to promote it during a world tour next year.
Rudds next court date has been set for Nov. 27.
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Additional reporting by The Associated Press
Source: http://mashable.com/2014/11/06/acdc-drummer-charge-dropped/
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