A murder-for-hire case against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd collapsed yesterday when New Zealand prosecutors found there was insufficient evidence to proceed, just 24 hours after police filed the charges.
Authorities said a charge of “attempt to procure murder” against Rudd had been withdrawn. However, the 60-year-old rocker is still accused of drug possession and threatening to kill, which carries a jail term of up to seven years.
Even with the charge dropped, the case still represents the second blow to AC/DC this year, after dementia forced founding member Malcolm Young to retire in September and move into a Sydney care facility. However, the heavy rock pioneers vow to play on, with a new album and tour coming up.
Rudd’s attorney Paul Mabey said police failed to consult before taking the murder plot charge to court on Thursday and prosecution lawyers ordered its withdrawal after a review found there was insufficient evidence.
“The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid,” Mabey said in a statement. “The Crown Solicitor’s [prosecutor’s] opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn.”
He acknowledged that the case had attracted worldwide publicity and said Rudd had suffered “incalculable damage” and would consider “any possible remedies he may have.”
“Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him,” the lawyer said, adding that the case had fallen apart less than a day after Rudd first appeared in court following a raid on his North island mansion.
The Crown Solicitor’s office confirmed the charge had been withdrawn, but refused to comment further.
Police in New Zealand have the power to lay charges in preliminary hearings and a case is then taken over by prosecutors working for the Crown Solicitor’s office.
“The Crown reviewed the charges and made the decision to withdraw the charge of attempting to procure murder. Other charges remain before the court,” police said, without commenting further.
Mabey said Rudd would defend the charge of threatening to kill, and described the cannabis and methamphetamine possession charges against his client as “minor.”
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