AC/DC star avoids murder-plot charge

New Zealand authorities made an embarrassing about-face on Friday when prosecutors dropped a murder-for-hire charge against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed.

But the 60-year-old member of the 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.

Police initially accused Rudd of trying to arrange for a hit man to carry out two killings, and charged him with attempting to procure murder, which comes with a maximum 10-year sentence. But when prosecutors took over the case, they dropped the charge.