Alec Baldwin's Rust Trial Dismissed Due to Withheld Evidence
- M.R Mishra
- Jul 14, 2024
- 2 min read
Alec Baldwin broke down in tears as a New Mexico judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against him for a fatal shooting on the set of the film *Rust*. The trial collapsed three days in, at a court near where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot with a revolver Baldwin was using during rehearsals.
This marks the second time the case against Baldwin has been dismissed since the October 2021 shooting, and he will not be tried again. Baldwin expressed his gratitude on Instagram, thanking those who supported him and his family.
Baldwin's lawyers accused police and prosecutors of hiding evidence—specifically, a batch of bullets that might be linked to the shooting. The case centered on how live ammunition ended up on the set, with Baldwin's defense questioning the investigation's thoroughness and the authorities' handling of the scene.
The motion to dismiss led to significant developments, including the resignation of one of the two special prosecutors and Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissing the jury to hear from multiple witnesses. Baldwin's lawyer argued that the bullets could be related to Hutchins' death but were misfiled under a different case number. Prosecutors countered that the ammunition was unrelated and didn't match bullets found on the *Rust* set. Nonetheless, the judge ruled that this information should have been shared with Baldwin's defense team.
"The state's willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate," Judge Sommer stated. Consequently, the judge dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot refile the charge.
"It's the nuclear option. The case is over," said Los Angeles trial attorney Joshua Ritter.
During the court session, Baldwin, known for his role on *30 Rock* and his portrayal of Donald Trump on *Saturday Night Live*, was visibly emotional as the judge detailed her reasons for dismissal. His wife, Hilaria, and other family members also showed their relief and support.
The evidence came to light when a crime-scene technician testified that retired police officer Troy Teske had handed over live ammunition potentially linked to the case.
Teske is friends with the stepfather of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year. Teske worked with Seth Kenney, who was involved with props and ammunition on the set.
The court heard from various witnesses about the bullets, including authorities who led the case and Kenney.
One of the prosecutors, Kari Morrissey, took the stand to explain why the ammunition was not shared with the defense, a rare occurrence in such cases.
She testified that the ammunition had “no evidentiary value” from her perspective and revealed that her co-prosecutor, Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, resigned because she disagreed with the decision to hold a public hearing over the evidence claims.
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