Phil Rudd Murder-for-Hire Charge Dropped by Prosecutors, Not Enough Evidence Against AC/DC Drummer

Only a day after AC/DC's Phil Rudd was arrested on charges of trying to procure the services of a hit man, the charges against the drummer have been dropped.

According to the Associated Press, there wasn't enough evidence against the 60-year-old percussionist, so prosecutors gave up on that aspect of the case. However, Rudd still faces a charge of threatening to kill, which, if found guilty, comes with a prison sentence of seven years max. He still faces charges of possession of meth and marijuana.

New Zealand prosecutor Greg Hollister-Jones said his office reviewed the file and he "made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder."

Rudd's lawyer, Paul Mabey, explained that police laid out the charge before they spoke with prosecutors.

"The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid," Mabey said in a statement. "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."

Earlier today (Oct. 6), a spokesperson for AC/DC issued a statement saying that the band knew very little about Rudd's legal issues, but that his absence "will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year."

News broke early Thursday morning that police in New Zealand, where Rudd has lived for the better part of his life, raided the drummer's home. Rudd appeared in court today and did not enter a plea.

AC/DC's 15th album, Rock or Bust, is due out Dec. 2.

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Phil Rudd, AC/DC, New Zealand