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| AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd murder plot charge dropped | AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd murder plot charge dropped |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The drummer of hard rock group AC/DC, Phil Rudd, has had a charge of attempted to arrange a murder dropped in New Zealand. | |
| Mr Rudd's lawyer said the charge was dropped because of lack of evidence. | 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. | 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. | 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, prosecuting lawyer Greg Hollister-Jones said his office had reviewed the case and found there was "insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder". | |
| 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's lawyer, Paul Mabey, said the "charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid". | |
| He added that Mr Rudd had suffered "incalculable" damage from the publicity surrounding the allegation and its sensational reporting, and would consider "any possible remedies he may have". | |
| He described the drug charges as "minor" offences and said the musician would defend the charge of making threats to kill, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in jail. | |
| The 60-year-old musician is next due in court on 27 November. AC/DC is launching its new album on 2 December. | |
| Mr Rudd was kicked out of the band in 1983 and rejoined in 1994. | |
| But his absence from a recent photo of band members prompted online speculation about whether he was still in the band. | |
| The drummer 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. | |
| 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. |
| Profile: AC/DC |