Case against three men on trial over ‘stolen’ Hotel California lyrics dropped

Musician Don Henley gave evidence in the trial (Seth Wenig/AP)

New York prosecutors have dropped a criminal case against three men who were on trial accused of conspiring to possess hand-written lyrics to Hotel California and other Eagles hits.

Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Aaron Ginandes informed the judge on Wednesday that prosecutors would no longer proceed with the case, citing newly available emails that defence lawyers said raised questions about the trial’s fairness.