Judge Dismisses Charges Citing Withheld Evidence; Baldwin’s Emotional Courtroom Victory Amid Allegations of Prosecutorial Misconduct in “Rust” Shooting Case
In a significant legal development, a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin on Friday, marking a dramatic turn in the highly publicized “Rust case. The dismissal came after Baldwin’s lawyers argued that prosecutors and police had withheld crucial evidence regarding the source of the live round that tragically killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
A Tearful Moment in Court
The decision by New Mexico district court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer was announced three days into Baldwin’s trial. Sommer cited the state’s “wilful and deliberate” withholding of evidence as the basis for her ruling, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the judicial system and ensure efficient justice. As the verdict was read, Baldwin, a multiple Emmy-award-winning actor, broke down in tears and hugged his wife, Hilaria Baldwin. Family members in the public gallery also wept.
Allegations of a “Cover-Up”
Baldwin’s legal team accused prosecutors of a “cover-up,” highlighting a series of missteps since the initial charges were filed 18 months ago. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, pointed out that the Santa Fe sheriff’s office had taken possession of live rounds in March, yet failed to document them in the “Rust” investigation file or disclose their existence to the defense.
Resignations and Controversy
The case has seen its fair share of controversy and turnover within the prosecution team. Erlinda Johnson, one of the state prosecutors, resigned on Friday, becoming the fourth prosecutor to step down from the case. Lead state prosecutor Kari Morrissey, who defended herself from the witness stand, stated, “I did not intend to mislead the court.” She added that her understanding of the evidence differed significantly from what was presented.
Legal Community Reacts
Legal analysts have widely criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case. Duncan Levin, a New York defense attorney, remarked, “The prosecution felt it had to cheat to get the result it wanted. This is the worst of our system on display.” Many believe the case should never have reached trial, given the numerous procedural and ethical issues that have arisen.
The Incident on Set
The tragic incident occurred during the filming of “Rust” near Santa Fe, when Baldwin, directed to point a revolver at Hutchins as she set up a camera shot, inadvertently fired a .45 caliber round. The live round, loaded by the movie’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez, resulted in Hollywood’s first on-set shooting death in nearly 30 years.
The Role of Ammunition
A significant focus of the defense was on the live rounds handed over to the sheriff’s office by Troy Teske, a friend of Gutierrez’s stepfather, Thell Reed. A sheriff’s office crime scene technician testified that the rounds did not match those collected on the set, but defense lawyers later found similarities, including brass casings with the “Starline Brass” logo and silver, nickel primers.
Judge Sommer’s Inquiry
Judge Sommer questioned Corporal Alexandria Hancock about the decision to create a separate case file for Teske’s ammunition. Hancock confirmed that it was a collective decision involving her supervisor, prosecutors, and herself. Sommer’s questioning revealed apparent inconsistencies in the handling of evidence and prosecutorial conduct.
Future Implications
While Baldwin‘s case has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, questions remain about the impact on Gutierrez’s conviction, which is currently under appeal. Baldwin’s defense maintains that the actor was failed by those responsible for on-set safety and that law enforcement prioritized prosecution over discovering the true source of the live round.
The dramatic dismissal of Baldwin’s charges underscores ongoing issues within the case and leaves many questions unanswered about the tragic incident that claimed Halyna Hutchins’ life.