Monday, July 13, 2015

AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Appeals 8 Month House Arrest Sentence


Recently long time AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was sentenced to 8 months house arrest by a judge in New Zealand after being charged for and pleading guilty to possession of pot and meth and threatening to kill his personal assistant and his family. You would think that such a light sentence would be a major sigh of relief to anyone in Rudd's position, but apparently not as the drummer is now filing an appeal for his sentence.

The reason for such a light sentence is that Rudd's lawyer was able to convince the court that Rudd's actions were not his own claiming methamphetamine induced psychosis. Apparently enough evidence was brought to the table to prove this, so Rudd got a bit of leniency.

According to a statement given in The New Zealand Herald by Rudd's lawyer Craig Tuck the appeal was filed almost immediately after the sentence was given. The paper also described Rudd as being "visibly disgruntled after the hearing, telling a reporter to “get a f—ing job” on his way out of the courthouse.".

The reason for the appeal is that Rudd feels that by being kept at home like this he is missing out on the opportunity to earn tens of millions of dollars touring with AC/DC despite the fact the band is currently already touring without him with former drummer Chris Slade. Rudd feels he still has a place in the band despite having no contact with the band since he was first charged. The judge recognized this fact and told Rudd that he "was not a member of AC/DC before the time he was arrested.".

Rudd has been warned by the judge to keep his nose clean because any repeat offenses would certainly lead to actual jail time, also stating that Rudd as a touring musician should have known the risks of drug related activity better than anyone.

The judge said:

“You are now 61 years old, Mr. Rudd, you are not 21. I’m simply not persuaded that you have done enough to establish the consequences of the conviction would outweigh the seriousness of the offending.”

Personally I feel Rudd got off way too light even if he wasn't fully responsible for his actions. The guy needs professional help. Some hard core drug counseling/addiction help should have been mandated. Then again, a person has to want to change in order for the therapy to be effective so maybe not. Either way, I think the judge should have in some way come down a little harder. Hopefully Rudd can get his act together and not be any more trouble.

A quick news blip of Rudd's appeal can be watched here:

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