One day after AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested and charged with attempting to procure the murder of two people, the authorities made an embarrassing about-face when the prosecutor dropped the charge because of a lack of evidence.
There was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder, according to an official statement from prosecuting lawyer Greg Hollister-Jones.
However, the AC/DC drummer is still facing charges of threatening to kill, and possession of narcotics (methamphetamine and marijuana). Threatening to kill comes with a maximum prison term of seven years in New Zealand. Charges relating to any personal possession of drugs are minor.
Phil Rudd's lawyer, Paul Mabey, says the 60-year-old Rudd has suffered "incalculable" damage from "unnecessary and damaging publicity" arising from the arrest, and reporting of a serious allegation which was never justified.
The drummer's arrest came after a 7 am raid at his him in Tauranga, New Zealand. He is now released on bail.
Phil Rudd, born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis in Australia, joined AC/DC in 1975 and played on many of the band's biggest hits. He was fired in 1983, then re-joined in 1994. Phil released his debut album, 'Head Job', earlier this year.
AC/DC is due to officially launch their first album in more than five years next month. The releas is titled 'Rock or Bust'. AC/DC has stated that Phil's absence would not affect the album's release or a planned tour in 2015.
