A New Mexico judge has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, citing the state’s withholding of crucial evidence. The case, related to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust, collapsed just three days into the trial in Santa Fe.
Baldwin broke down in tears as Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that the state had deliberately and intentionally withheld evidence, specifically a batch of bullets that could have been connected to the shooting. This marks the second time the case against Baldwin has been dismissed since the incident in October 2021. The judge’s decision prevents the charges from being refiled.
The key issue in the case was how live ammunition ended up on the set. Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the investigation was flawed and that authorities had made significant mistakes. Their motion to dismiss led to a series of dramatic events, including the resignation of one of the special prosecutors and the judge dismissing the jury to hear testimony about the bullets.
Baldwin, known for his roles in 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live, expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating on Instagram, “To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.”
The dismissal of the case hinged on the late discovery of the bullets by a crime-scene technician, who testified that live ammunition was turned over by a retired police officer, potentially connected to the film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Prosecutors argued that the ammunition was not relevant, but the judge ruled that it should have been shared with Baldwin’s defense team.
Baldwin’s legal team claimed that the withheld evidence could have jeopardized the law enforcement case. Judge Marlowe Sommer concluded that the state’s conduct, if not outright bad faith, was close enough to impact the fairness of the proceedings.
Despite the criminal case’s dismissal, Baldwin and other producers still face civil lawsuits from Hutchins’s family and other crew members. Hutchins’s widower and young son settled their lawsuit, with the widower becoming an executive producer on the unfinished film. Gutierrez-Reed was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, and her lawyer has indicated plans to seek dismissal based on Baldwin’s verdict.
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