Murder Plot Charge Dropped Against AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd

Yesterday it was reported that AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was charged with threatening to kill, attempting to arrange a murder– with a charge that he allegedly hired a hit man to kill two as-yet-unidentified people– and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. Today, the New Zealand Herald reports that the murder-for-hire charge has been dropped. The threatening to kill and drug charges, however, remain.

Rudd, 60, appeared in court yesterday after police raided his home in the small New Zealand town of Tauranga. According to Rudd’s lawyer, Paul Mabey QC:

“I was advised by the Crown Solicitor Hollister-Jones that he had reviewed the police file and the available evidence to support the charge of attempting to procure murder. He had formed the view that there was insufficient evidence to justify that charge. He has now withdrawn the charge.”

He added:

“The charge alleging an Attempt to Procure Murder should never have been laid. The Crown Solicitors opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn — within twenty four hours of Mr Rudd’s first appearance in Court.

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.

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.

Citizens are entitled to a responsible exercise of the power to charge which, as is proved here, can give rise to potentially irreversible damage if that power is not exercised responsibly.

Mr Rudd is considering any possible remedies he may have.”

Read Mabey’s full statement at the New Zealand Herald.

Prior to the dismissal of charges, other members of AC/DC gave a statement to Rolling Stone about Rudd’s arrest. “We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking,” they said. “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.”

AC/DC’s Rock or Bust comes out on December 2. Their new single “Play Ball” was shared last month. After the band announced that Malcolm Young would retire, it was revealed that the guitarist had been diagnosed with dementia.

If Rudd had been convicted of the charge, he would have faced up to ten years in prison.

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