Dec 23 (Reuters) – A criminal case against Alec Baldwin, arising from the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust” in 2021, was officially dropped on Monday after the prosecutor withdrew her appeal of the case’s dismissal.
Prosecutor Withdraws Appeal
Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey decided to withdraw the appeal, as confirmed by the First Judicial District Attorney’s office. This decision marked the end of the legal case against Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin’s Lawyers Celebrate Vindication
Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, Baldwin’s attorneys, stated that the dismissal reaffirmed their stance: Alec Baldwin was not guilty of any crime, despite the tragic circumstances.
Judge Cites Concealed Evidence in Case Dismissal
In July, a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin. The dismissal was based on allegations that Morrissey and the sheriff’s office withheld evidence about the live round responsible for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
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Attorney General Declines to Support Appeal
The Attorney General’s office indicated to Morrissey that it would not exhaustively pursue the appeal, influencing the decision to drop the case entirely.
Tragic Death of Halyna Hutchins
Hutchins lost her life when Baldwin aimed a gun at her during a camera setup on the “Rust” set near Santa Fe. The firearm, loaded with a live round, was handled by chief weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez, who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
FBI and Firearms Expert’s Findings
Although Baldwin denied pulling the trigger, an investigation by the FBI and an independent firearms expert concluded the gun could not have fired without the trigger being depressed.
Historical Context of On-Set Fatal Shootings
Halyna Hutchins’ death was the first on-set shooting involving a live round since Hollywood’s silent era. Previously, such incidents have typically been resolved through civil lawsuits, as seen in the 1993 death of Brandon Lee during the filming of “The Crow.”