According to a recent report by Stuff.co.nz, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s recent court appearance was adjourned because of a change in lawyers.
Rudd, 60, was due to appear in the Tauranga District Court this week after last year pleading not guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill. Paul Mabey, QC, says he has withdrawn as Rudd’s counsel. Rudd’s new lawyer is Craig Tuck, also of Tauranga.
Updated information found here indicates that Rudd will face a judge-alone trial in the Tauranga District Court beginning on April 21st.
Rudd has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from a police raid on his waterfront North Island mansion on November 6th. He was also initially charged with “attempting to procure murder“, but it was dropped after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
The case has left Rudd’s position with the top-selling band in doubt, with drummer Chris Slade replacing him Sunday for a performance at the Grammys in Los Angeles.
Slade said on Facebook that he was also playing in the upcoming Rock Or Bust world tour, although Rudd said last year that he wanted to keep his job.
For the first time ever on the Grammys, AC/DC cranked out their new single ‘Rock Or Bust’ and the iconic ‘Highway To Hell’.