The charge of procuring murder against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
The decision was made to withdraw the charge after Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones reviewed the police file against Rudd and the available evidence to support the charge of attempting to procure murder.
Phil Rudd in court yesterday.
'Mr Rudd will defend the charge of threatening to kill,” says Paul Mabey, QC, Rudd's defence lawyer. 'Charges relating to any personal possession of drugs are minor.
'The charge alleging an attempt to procure murder should never have been laid. The Crown Solicitor's opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn - within 24 hours of Mr Rudd's first appearance in Court.”
Paul says 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,” adds Paul. 'Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him with attempting to procure murder.
'Citizens are entitled to a responsible exercise of the power to charge which, as is proved here, can give rise to potentially irreversible damage if that power is not exercised responsibly.
'Mr Rudd is considering any possible remedies he may have.”
Rudd made his first appearance in Tauranga District Court yesterday after police arrested him following an early morning search of his home.
He has been remanded on bail on the remaining three charges and is due back in court on November 27.
7 comments
Mr. Rudd
Posted on 07-11-2014 15:43 | By phoenix
Once again the media is found wanting, in making a mountain out of a molehill.
Editors note - SUNLIVE factually and accurately reported the case as it unfolded. And when the charge of procuring was withdrawn by the police, we again simply reported the facts of the case without embellishment or prejudice.
Overit
Posted on 07-11-2014 15:47 | By overit
Poor Phil all this media hype. Its disgusting.
There you go
Posted on 07-11-2014 16:05 | By earlybird
Innocent until proven guilty. All those people who put the boot in must be feeling pretty stupid now.
Phoenix
Posted on 07-11-2014 18:25 | By YOGI BEAR
Dear Mam, the charges laid were nothing to do with the media, it is the NZ police that lay charges and seek to prosecute whoever. The reality is that if the media are involved in anything then that is just sensationalizing at worst a bad situation. Mr Rudd has a history already to date but that has nothing to do with being guilty of anything.
Shame on the police
Posted on 08-11-2014 11:08 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
I don't believe it's media harassment, I believe the police have a great deal to answer to. Knowing that Phil had a high profile they should have been very sure of their facts. A search warrant would have had to have been issued by a judge. Many questions need answering by the police.
Who is Phill Rudd????
Posted on 08-11-2014 19:06 | By Jimmy Ehu
well I really do not give a toss who he is, Thursday was team naming day for the ABs not Phill Rudd day!!!!!, the media only give the masses what they crave for, if you want to put someone like this on a pedestal,go for it, I have more important things to worry about.
Guns blazing ....
Posted on 08-11-2014 21:56 | By Murray.Guy
Just as well they haven't all got guns on their hips, they were arresting a vicious potential killer in his home.
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