AC/DC drummer in murder plot
Phil Rudd, AC/DC Drummer, Accused In Murder Plot
Life may be imitating art in New Zealand, where AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is being accused of trying to order up a dirty deed.
Rudd, 60, has been charged with "attempting to procure a murder," according to reports. He has also been charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, and threatening to kill, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Police said Rudd attempted to hire a hitman to kill two men, according to Stuff.co.nz. During a court appearance on Thursday, Judge Louis Bidois withheld the names of the would-be victims as well as that of the man Rudd allegedly tried to procure for the deed.
Phil Rudd in court pic.twitter.com/GAYytLkfD9
— tony wall (@tonywalljourno) November 6, 2014
Rudd did not enter a plea, was released on bail and ordered to have no contact with the man he allegedly tried to hire. He is scheduled to be in court again in three weeks, Stuff reported.
Journalist Tony Wall, who has been tweeting images from the scene, said Rudd faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Earlier in the day, police raided his home in Tauranga, about 125 southeast of Auckland.
Cops at Phil rudd's place today pic.twitter.com/jNb9Stu5Mi
— tony wall (@tonywalljourno) November 6, 2014
Former AC/DC manager Michael Browning told the Daily Mail that the accusations were a "bit of a shock, but there you go."
Born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis in Australia, Rudd was with the band from 1975 until being fired in 1983, then re-joined in 1994. Having played on many of the band's biggest hits, he was among the members inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
He most recently released a solo album, "Head Job," and in September told Blabbermouth he expected to tour with AC/DC after the release of the band's upcoming album, "Rock or Bust."
However, last month the band posted a new publicity photo without Rudd. He also did not appear in two videos recorded for "Rock or Bust." While singer Brian Johnson said Rudd was absent from the photo shoot due to a “family emergency," Ultimate Classic Rock reported on speculation that the photo was a sign Rudd had been booted from the band again.
AC/DC most recently made headlines when co-founder and guitarist Malcolm Young retired. His family later said that Young had been battling dementia.
AC/DC Drummer Charged With Murder Plot In New Zealand
The Nation
November 6, 2014
Breaking News
WELLINGTON (AFP) - The drummer with legendary rock band AC/DC, Phil Rudd, was accused Thursday of trying to hire a hitman to kill two men after police raided his luxury New Zealand home.
Police swooped on the veteran rocker’s waterfront house at Tauranga in the North Island in the early hours and charged him with "attempting to procure murder" and threatening to kill.
They also charged the 60-year-old with possessing methamphetamine and cannabis after allegedly finding the drugs in his property, Tauranga District Court was told.
Court officials confirmed Rudd, a long-time member of one of the world’s highest grossing bands, was granted bail and ordered to reappear on November 27.
He looked tired and tousled as he appeared in court shoeless and wearing a baggy grey jumper, with his lawyer unsuccessfully arguing that media should not be allowed to take images of him because they just wanted to capture his client "at his worst".
He was not required to enter a plea during his brief appearance but court documents reveal he is accused of trying to organise a hitman to kill two men in late September, although judge Louis Bidois suppressed the identities of those involved.
Rudd, who has played on hits including "Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap" and "Highway to Hell", refused to comment after leaving court and was driven away in a silver Mercedes Benz.
Under New Zealand law, attempting "to procure any person to murder any other person" is punishable by up to 10 years in jail, while threatening to kill can attract a seven-year sentence.
AC/DC drummer charged with murder plot in New Zealand - The Nation
AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Arrested for Dirty Deeds, Attempted Murders-for-Hire
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...dd-getty-3.jpg
TMZ
November 6, 2014
By TMZ Staff
The drummer for AC/DC was busted in New Zealand for allegedly plotting to have two people killed -- and for a bunch of drugs allegedly found in his home during an early morning police raid.
Phil Rudd was taken into custody early Thursday, and charged with attempting to procure a murder. The 60-year-old founding member of the rock group was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.
NZ police say Rudd tried to hire a hitman to kill two other men. The names of the intended victims and the alleged hit man were not immediately released.
Rudd -- who's been with AC/DC since 1975 -- was released on bail after a brief court appearance.
AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd -- Arrested for Dirty Deeds ... Attempted Murders-for-Hire | TMZ.com