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AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd murder plot charge dropped | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The drummer of hard rock group AC/DC, Phil Rudd, is no longer being charged in New Zealand with attempting to arrange murder, lawyers say. | |
Mr Rudd's lawyer said the charge was dropped because of lack of evidence. | |
Australian Mr Rudd will still face charges - announced on Thursday - of possessing drugs and of making threats to kill. | |
AC/DC had earlier issued a statement saying its planned tour would not be affected by news of the charges. | AC/DC had earlier issued a statement saying its planned tour would not be affected by news of the charges. |
The band is one of the highest grossing music acts of all time. | The band is one of the highest grossing music acts of all time. |
On Thursday, Mr Rudd appeared in court after a police raid on his waterfront house in Tauranga, on New Zealand's North Island. | |
But on Friday, a spokesman for the prosecutor told the Associated Press news agency that there was not enough evidence to support the charge. | |
Mr Rudd's lawyer, Paul Mabey, said the "charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid". | Mr Rudd's lawyer, Paul Mabey, said the "charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid". |
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney says the episode will prove embarrassing for the New Zealand police. | The BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney says the episode will prove embarrassing for the New Zealand police. |
Mr Rudd, 60, was released on bail after his brief court appearance on Thursday. | Mr Rudd, 60, was released on bail after his brief court appearance on Thursday. |
As part of his bail conditions, he was told he must not contact anyone involved in the alleged murder plot. | As part of his bail conditions, he was told he must not contact anyone involved in the alleged murder plot. |
Local media reports said at the time that the alleged plot targeted two men. The judge ruled that their names as well as that of the alleged hit-man could not be revealed. | Local media reports said at the time that the alleged plot targeted two men. The judge ruled that their names as well as that of the alleged hit-man could not be revealed. |
Under New Zealand law, the charge of attempting to "procure" a murder carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years. | Under New Zealand law, the charge of attempting to "procure" a murder carries a jail sentence of up to 10 years. |