AC/DC Drummer’s Charge Of Attempting To Procure Murder Withdrawn
AC/DC Drummer’s Charge Of Attempting To Procure Murder Withdrawn
November 6, 2014
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s charge of attempting to procure murder has been withdrawn. Rudd appeared in Tauranga District Court in New Zealand yesterday and was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill (the latter which carries a maximum sentence of seven years), reports Stuff.co.nz.
Rudd’s lawyer, Paul Mabey QC, said this afternoon that the Crown solicitor withdrew the charge after a meeting with Mabey and police. The Crown solicitor said there was insufficient evidence to justify the charge, Mabey said. The Crown solicitor’s office confirmed the charge had been withdrawn.
Mabey said Rudd would defend the threatening to kill charge. He described the drugs possession charges as “minor”. “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.” Rudd was considering any possible remedies, he said.
Earlier today AC/DC released a statement regarding the news of Rudd’s arrest. “We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock Or Bust and upcoming tour next year.”
Rudd is the only Australian-born member of AC/DC. Rudd moved to New Zealand in 1983 after he was kicked out of the band. He re-joined the band in 1994 and has since been in and out of New Zealand while touring and recording. He also opened a restaurant in Tauranga which attracted publicity when a group of staff took a case to the Employment Relations Authority.
AC/DC has a new album, ‘Rock Or Bust’, due out on December 2nd — their first without founding guitarist Malcolm Young. Last month a new press photo of the band was released without Rudd, who an AC/DC spokesperson said was unable to make the photo shoot but was still an active member of the group.
Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com