|
One day after Rudd was arrested and charged with attempting
to procure murder, threatening to kill and possession of
narcotics, a New Zealand government prosecutor said the most
serious charge had been dropped because of a lack of evidence.
"There was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of
attempting to procure murder," prosecuting lawyer Greg
Hollister-Jones said in a statement on Friday.
Rudd's lawyer said police did not consult the prosecutor before
laying the charge of attempting to procure the murder of two
people in Tauranga, a city on New Zealand's North Island.
"The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never
have been laid," Paul Mabey said.
Mabey said Rudd had suffered "incalculable" damage from
unnecessary and damaging publicity arising from the arrest, and
reporting of a serious allegation which was never justified".
He said the 60-year-old Rudd, who is on bail to reappear at the
end of the month, would defend the threatening to kill charge,
which has a maximum sentence of seven years in jail. Mabey said
the drug charges were minor offences.
The Australian-born Rudd has lived in the seaside city, about
200 kms (125 miles) southeast of New Zealand's biggest city
Auckland, since he was sacked from the band in 1983.
He rejoined AC/DC in 1994, but has remained in New Zealand,
where he owns a restaurant.
He was convicted and fined for possessing cannabis in 2010.
AC/DC is due to officially launch their first album in more than
five years - Rock or Bust - on Dec 2.
In a statement after Rudd's arrest the band said his absence
would not affect the album's release or a planned tour next
year.
(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; Editing by Michael Perry)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
