Phil Rudd’s Next Court Appearance Delayed Until April After Lawyer Quits
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was scheduled to appear in a New Zealand court on Feb. 10 to continue his defense against charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill, but that court date has been bumped back to April.
Stuff.co.nz reports that the scheduling switch was necessitated due to a change in Rudd's legal team -- specifically, that his attorney, Paul Mabey, has withdrawn as counsel. Pressed by the paper for an explanation, Mabey demurred, saying only, "It's just a professional decision that we have made."
The report goes on to add that Rudd's new lawyer, Craig Tuck, was involved in another high-profile meth-related case last year, when his services were sought by a man who was arrested after traveling to Hong Kong to meet an online girlfriend with the drug stowed in his backpack.
In theory, this would presumably make it easier for Rudd to show up at the Grammys on Feb. 8 and join the band for its performance at the awards, but traveling between countries is probably easier said than done for him at the moment, and no one from AC/DC has offered any indication that they'd be willing to welcome him back into the fold during his legal drama. In the meantime, former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade appears to be the rumored favorite to sit behind the kit during the show.
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