The charge of attempting to procure a murder against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been dropped. New Zealand authorities have determined that there is no evidence supporting the charge.

The 60-year-old rocker was arrested on Thursday morning following a police raid on his home in Tauranga. His hitman and the two persons he allegedly wanted to kill have received name suppression. Judge Louis Bidois of Tauranga District Court also suppressed the details of the complaints.

However, less than a full day after Rudd was charged, his lawyer, Paul Mabey QC, announced that the attempting to procure murder charge has been dropped due to lack of evidence.

“I was advised by the Crown Solicitor Hollister-Jones that he had reviewed the police file and the available evidence to support the charge of attempting to procure murder. He had formed the view that there was insufficient evidence to justify that charge. He has now withdrawn the charge,” Mabey said in a statement.

The lawyer went on to explain that the charge shouldn’t have been laid in the first place since the opinion of the Crown Solicitors was not sought.

Rudd has also been charged with threatening to kill and possession of marijuana and methamphetamine. Mabey said Rudd will defend the charge of threatening to kill, while “charges relating to any personal possession of drugs are minor.” The musician is still expected to appear in court on November 27 to face the remaining charges.

“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,” Mabey continued, adding that the damage to Rudd is “incalculable.”

“Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible arresting and charging him with Attempting to Procure Murder.”

The Australia-born Rudd has been living in New Zealand since 1983 after he left AC/DC. He reunited with the band in 1994. The group is set to go on a world tour in support of their new album “Rock or Bust,” but did not say if Rudd would still be able to participate.

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