In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charge against actor Alec Baldwin, stemming from the tragic 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
The dismissal came after Baldwin’s attorney filed a motion, arguing that state investigators had mishandled evidence disclosure. Judge Sommer concurred, citing improper evidence disclosure by the state, and dismissed the case with prejudice, ensuring it cannot be refiled.
Click here to get updates on BREAKING stories like this sent to your email by signing up to Dave’s FREE newsletter.
“There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” Judge Sommer stated during the hearing.
An emotional Baldwin was seen hugging his wife, Hilaria, immediately after the announcement, as court was adjourned for the day. This ruling arrives amidst a turbulent trial, just days into proceedings that could have seen Baldwin facing up to 18 months in prison for the involuntary manslaughter charge.
The incident in question occurred on October 21, 2021, when Baldwin was practicing a “cross draw” with a prop gun that unexpectedly discharged a live round, fatally injuring Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Friday’s hearing was disrupted as the judge sent the jury home to deliberate on the motion to dismiss due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct. A day prior, a crime scene technician revealed that a man had brought ammunition to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in March, following the conviction of “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed. The man, Troy Teske, a retired police officer, believed the ammunition might be linked to the “Rust” shooting. However, this ammunition was catalogued separately and not tested in connection to Baldwin’s case.
Baldwin’s defense team argued that this evidence had not been properly disclosed, prompting their motion for dismissal. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey countered, arguing that the ammunition was not relevant to the case as it did not match the rounds found on the “Rust” set. “This is a wild goose chase,” Morrissey stated.
In a rare move, Judge Sommer requested the technician to testify again regarding the rounds, leading to an in-court examination of the evidence. The courtroom fell silent as the judge scrutinized the rounds.
The case, marked by numerous delays and legal maneuvers, has seen changes in prosecution teams and ongoing debates over evidence integrity. During opening statements, prosecutors accused Baldwin of recklessness, claiming he violated fundamental firearm safety rules on set.
Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of this unfolding story.
