The involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, concerning a fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust,” was dismissed by a New Mexico judge. The trial collapsed three days in, with Baldwin breaking down in tears as the judge announced the dismissal.
The case stemmed from the October 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed with a revolver Baldwin was using during rehearsals. This marks the second dismissal of charges against Baldwin related to this incident. Baldwin’s lawyers argued that police and prosecutors hid crucial evidence, including a batch of bullets potentially linked to the shooting.
The defense motion to dismiss led to significant events, including the resignation of one of the special prosecutors and multiple witness testimonies. The judge ruled that the withheld evidence, regardless of its relevance, should have been shared with Baldwin’s defense.
As a result, the case was dismissed with prejudice, preventing prosecutors from filing charges against Baldwin again. The decision was based on the deliberate withholding of information by the state, which the judge deemed a significant legal misstep.
Following the dismissal, Baldwin, best known for his role on “30 Rock” and his portrayal of Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” expressed relief, embracing his tearful wife, Hilaria, in court. The couple exited the courtroom without making any public statements.
The evidence that led to the dismissal was uncovered when a crime-scene technician revealed that live ammunition potentially related to the case had been turned over by Troy Teske, a retired police officer with connections to the film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
The court heard from various witnesses, including authorities and the prosecutor, Kari Morrissey, who testified about the evidence and the investigation. Morrissey’s co-prosecutor, Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, resigned amid the proceedings due to disagreements over the handling of the evidence.
This dismissal concludes the legal proceedings against Baldwin for the fatal shooting, while highlighting significant procedural issues in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
