AC/DC's Rudd won't face murder-for-hire charge

In a matter of 24 hours, Phil Rudd's future changed drastically.

New Zealand prosecutors have dropped the murder-for-hire charge against the AC/DC drummer, saying there wasn't enough evidence to move forward.

And now fingers are being pointed at police by Rudd's lawyer.

And at the media - by Rudd himself.

In a statement, Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said his office became responsible for prosecuting Rudd after he had been charged by police and had appeared in court.

"The file was obtained today and reviewed," Hollister-Jones told AP on Friday, adding he "made the decision that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder."

Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey said the decision to charge Rudd was made by police without consulting with prosecutors.

Police refused to answer questions about their decision to charge Rudd and whether they stood by it, reports The New Zealand Herald. They also refused to say whether they regret not seeking Crown advice before arresting Rudd, or any distress the withdrawn charge caused him.

Mabey also hinted that there could be legal action ahead.

"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."

After appearing in court on Thursday, the drummer refused to speak with gathered media as he pulled away from the court in a late-model soft-top Mercedes, driven by a woman who had watched the court proceedings from the public gallery, reports the Herald.

Once home, Rudd took a minute to flip off the media gathered outside his two-story home.

A neighbor told the Herald he was shocked by the news of Rudd's arrest. "I know Phil, he's a good neighbor ... we'll chat about any old thing. I even see him out mowing the lawn for the elderly lady next door, so he's a pretty down-to-earth guy."

The 60-year-old member of the popular Australian band still faces a serious charge of threatening to kill, which comes with a maximum prison term of seven years. He also faces charges of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana.

AC/DC said in a statment Rudd's arrest won't affect its upcoming tour or the new album release.

Rock or Bust is due to be released on Dec. 2 and will be the band's first new studio album in six years. The band plans to promote it during a world tour next year.