By Brian Ives
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s charge of attempting to procure a murder has been withdrawn, according to New Zealand’s Sunday Morning Herald.
Rudd, 60, appeared in Tauranga District Court in New Zealand on Thursday charged with attempting to procure the murder of two men. As reported yesterday, Rudd was ordered by the court to have no contact with the man he allegedly tried to hire to carry out the hits. The name of the intended hit man was suppressed by the judge.
Rudd’s other charges — possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis — remain before the court, as does a charge for threatening to kill.
Related: AC/DC’s Phil Rudd Out on Bail After Allegedly Plotting Murders of Two People
The drummer’s lawyer, Paul Mabey, said on Friday afternoon that the Crown solicitor withdrew the charge after a meeting with Mabey and police.
“The decision to charge Mr Rudd was made by the New Zealand Police without consultation with the Tauranga Crown Solicitor,” he said, and that the crown solicitor said there was insufficient evidence to justify the charge and had withdrawn the charge. He also described the drug charges as “minor.”
Of course, the band may have some awkward moments ahead of them; their press photos for their upcoming album didn’t include Rudd, and they recently posted a message to their website regarding Rudd’s woes.
“We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking,” the band wrote. “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.”
Rock or Bust, their first album without founding guitarist Malcolm Young, who is suffering from dementia, is due out on Dec. 2. The album includes Young’s nephew Stevie filling in for him on rhythm guitar after doing so on a recent tour.
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