In a dramatic courtroom scene, actor Alec Baldwin witnessed the abrupt end of his involuntary manslaughter trial related to the tragic shooting on the set of the film ‘Rust,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter.
On Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer of Santa Fe dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing Baldwin from being retried in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The decision followed a contentious day-long hearing focused on allegations of mishandled evidence by the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office and prosecutors. Judge Sommer highlighted the impact of procedural errors on the trial’s fairness, stating, “The late discovery of this evidence has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings. There is no way for the court to right this wrong. The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy.”
During the hearing, Judge Sommer personally examined a bag of ammunition, which Baldwin’s legal team claimed had been withheld until recently. This led to significant developments, including the resignation of one special prosecutor and the testimony of another.
The trial, initially expected to last two weeks, was cut short on its third day, leaving Baldwin visibly moved but silent as he exited the courthouse. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey acknowledged the judge’s ruling, maintaining that there was no evidence linking the discovered ammunition to Hutchins’ death.
Baldwin’s attorneys filed a dismissal motion citing the belated disclosure of crucial evidence that emerged after the trial of the film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The ammunition, allegedly matching the bullet that killed Hutchins, was handed over by retired officer Troy Teske in March but was not disclosed to the defense during trial preparations.
The fatal incident occurred during a rehearsal at a New Mexico church set, where Baldwin unintentionally discharged a loaded revolver he was assured was unloaded. The shooting resulted in the death of Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. The presence of live rounds mixed with dummy rounds on set remains an unresolved mystery.
Legal proceedings against Baldwin have been tumultuous since charges were initially filed in January 2023, then dropped and later refiled amidst conflicting forensic reports and witness accounts, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Following the dismissal, Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s widower, expressed disappointment, reiterating his commitment to holding Baldwin accountable. “We respect the court’s decision. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins,” stated Brian Panish, attorney for Matthew Hutchins, in an official statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
