Murder plot charge dropped against Rudd
WELLINGTON: New Zealand prosecutors made an embarrassing about-face, dropping a murder-for-hire charge against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, saying there is not enough evidence to proceed.
But the 60-year-old member of the popular Australian band faces an allegation of threatening to kill, a serious charge that could lead to his being handed up to seven years in jail.
He also faces charges of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana.
Police initially accused Rudd of trying to arrange for a hit man to carry out two killings, and charged him with attempting to procure murder, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. But prosecutors dropped the charge yesterday.
Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said he had “made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge”.
Rudd’s lawyer, Paul Mabey, said the damage to his client had been incalculable and he was considering remedies.
“The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid,” he said. “Mr Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified.”
Mabey said Rudd would plead not guilty to the other charges against him.
Bill Hodge, a law professor at the University of Auckland, said the events suggested police had overreached.
He said Rudd could have a good case for seeking damages if the case against him fell apart.
Police declined to answer questions.
Fans noted Rudd’s dishevelled appearance and gaunt face in media images taken during his court appearance.
Many Down Under have listened for decades to the straightforward hard rock of AC/DC.
Rudd was released on bail Thursday pending a second court appearance later this month. He has yet to enter a plea.
Rudd and the other members of AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
“Featuring guitarist Angus Young as their visual symbol and musical firebrand, they grew from humble origins in Australia to become an arenafilling phenomenon with worldwide popularity,” said the Hall of Fame’s biography.
“They did so without gimmickry, except for Angus’s schoolboy uniform, which became mandatory stage attire.”
The US military has used the band’s music for martial purposes. In 2004, US troops blasted AC/DC’s Hell's Bells and other rock music at full volume in Fallujah, Iraq, hoping to grate on the nerves of insurgents. – Sapa-AP LONDON: A man found eating the body parts of a woman he had assaulted in his hostel room was shocked with a Taser and died soon afterwards in hospital yesterday.
It is understood Matthew Williams, 34, was eating the eyeball and face of the 22-yearold woman.
Police confirmed they had used a 50 000-volt Taser on Williams.