New Mexico Judge Dismisses Involuntary Manslaughter Case Against Alec Baldwin

Judge Dismisses Case Due to Misconduct of Police and Prosecutors

Alec Baldwin received a stunning victory in court when a New Mexico judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against him in the middle of his trial, stating that police and prosecutors severely misconducted themselves by withholding evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”

After the judge dismissed the case, Baldwin cried, hugged his two attorneys, and gestured to the front of the court. Later, he turned to hug his crying wife, Hilaria, holding the embrace for 12 seconds, before climbing into an SUV outside the Santa Fe courthouse without speaking to the media.

The judge based her decision on the fact that the misconduct “impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings.” She noted that “if this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching.”

The Evidence That Sank the Case

The evidence that sank the case was the existence of ammunition that was brought into the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins’ killing. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammo unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwin’s lawyers alleged they “buried” it. Ultimately it was revealed during the trial’s second day of testimony on Thursday. The defense filed one of many motions they had made to dismiss the case over evidence issues and it was this one that the judge decided to end the case in favor of Baldwin.

The judge’s decision ends the criminal culpability of the 66-year-old Baldwin after a nearly three-year saga that began when a revolver he was pointing at Hutchins during a rehearsal went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Prosecutors Get One Conviction

Prosecutors did get one conviction for Hutchins’ death. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on an involuntary manslaughter conviction, which she is now appealing. Her attorney Jason Bowles said Friday that he would be filing a motion to dismiss his client’s case as well.

Baldwin and other producers still face civil lawsuits from Hutchins’ parents and sister.

Conclusion

Although the case against Alec Baldwin has been dismissed, the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins remains haunting with the conviction of the film’s armorer. It is uncertain at this point what the next steps will be in the legal proceedings over the shooting.

Keywords: Alec Baldwin, Involuntary Manslaughter Case, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, misconduct, Halyna Hutchins, Rust, ammunition, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Joel Souza.

Originally Post From https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/nation-world/alec-baldwin-trial-case-dismissed-fatal-shooting-rust-set/507-b9fdf31d-58e2-492d-9469-03464006cdbb

Alec Baldwin’s Involuntary Manslaughter Case Dismissed Mid-Trial, Can’t be Refiled