Phil Rudd charge dropped - The 60-year-old veteran drummer of legendary hard rock band AC/DC has been acquitted of a charge of conspiracy to commit murder only a day after he was arraigned before the Tuaranga district court in New Zealand.
The Phil Rudd charge dropped related to the artists' alleged attempt to hire a hitman to assassinate two people, after he is said to have threatened one of the targets in September.
The office of the Crown Solicitor of Tuaranga Greg Hollister-Jones has confirmed that the charge against Phil Rudd has been dropped.
"Mr Hollister-Jones made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure a murder," a statement from the Tuaranga Crown Solicitor's office said.
Reports indicate that on Thursday morning the police raided the home of Phil Rudd in North Island and took him into custody. The drummer was arraigned before a court in the afternoon, where his charges were read to him. He was later bailed and scheduled to reappear in court on Nov. 27th.
Commentators say despite this Phil Rudd charge dropped, the drummer could face up to 7 years in prison if he is found guilty of threatening to commit murder and possession of marijuana and methamphetamine.
The legal representative of the Australian music icon Paul Mabey has indicated that Paul Rudd intends to defend himself against the charge of threatening to commit murder. However, he described the drug possession charges as "minor."
Mabey said despite the Phil Rudd charge dropped, the artist has suffered from the "unnecessary and extremely damaging" widespread media coverage of his arrest.
"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."
The Phil Rudd charge dropped has raised a number of questions about the investigative procedures New Zealand police follow before charging an accused person. The police are yet to officially comment on this development.
The arrest of Phil Rudd comes as AC/DC gears up to release one of their most highly anticipated albums Rock or Bust on Dec. 2nd. This is the group's first release in 6 years and many fans are optimistic that the veteran chart toppers still have it in them to make hits. The band has meanwhile noted that the arrest and subsequent Phil Rudd charge dropped will not affect their upcoming release.
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