Phil Rudd Arrested: Main Charge Dropped

The hard rock band AC/DC was in the news over the past few days when Phil Rudd, their drummer, was arrested and charged with "procuring the murder" of two men among other charges.

He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis and threatening to kill. However, within 24 hours after the charges were made, the main charge of procuring a murder was dropped while the two lesser charges and the charge of threatening to kill remain in place.

Rudd, aged 60, was arrested on Thursday in New Zealand where he currently resides in Tauranga. Subsequently Rudd's house was searched by police. After his arrest, he was produced in the District Court in Tauranga where he was charged. At the hearing he did not enter a plea and was granted bail until Nov. 27.

Rudd was born in Australia and became world famous as part of AC/DC, one of the world's biggest and most popular rock bands. He left the band in the 1980s but since then has rejoined the group. The band is to release its latest album titled "Rock or Bust" next month.

Following Rudd's arrest, the band released a statement on its website saying that Rudd's arrest would not affect either the release of their album or their tour scheduled for next year.

Rolling Stone reported that Greg Hollister-Jones, the Crown Solicitor of Tauranga, decided to drop the charge of "procuring murder" against Rudd because of "insufficient evidence."

Speaking after the charge was dropped, Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey stated that his client's reputation had suffered as a result of "widespread and sensational reporting." He also noted that the charge should never have been made and the publicity that resulted from Rudd's arrest was "unnecessary and extremely damaging."