Actor Alec Baldwin has spoken out after a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges related to the fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust. In a statement shared with Deadline, Baldwin expressed his thanks amidst a difficult legal fight. "I am grateful for the tremendous support I have received during this challenging time," he said. He also posted a photo from inside the courtroom on Instagram, along with a message: "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."
The decision, made by Judge Marlowe Sommer on Friday, not only dropped the charges against Baldwin but also prevented any further retrial, effectively ending the criminal case against him, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The judge's ruling came after a lengthy hearing marked by intense debates over the alleged mishandling of evidence by the authorities. Judge Sommer emphasized the impact of procedural errors, stating, "The late discovery of this evidence has compromised the fundamental fairness of these proceedings. There is no remedy but to dismiss the charges."
During the hearing, the judge examined a bag of ammunition that was central to the case, which Baldwin's legal team claimed had been withheld from them. This revelation led to significant developments, including the resignation of a special prosecutor and the testimony of another, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The trial, initially expected to last two weeks, concluded abruptly on its third day, with Baldwin visibly affected but choosing to remain silent as he left the courthouse.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey acknowledged the judge's decision, noting that there was no conclusive evidence linking the discovered ammunition to the tragic incident involving cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The motion for dismissal, filed by Baldwin's defense team, pointed to crucial evidence that surfaced after the trial of the film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. This included ammunition allegedly matching the fatal bullet, which was disclosed to authorities by retired officer Troy Teske in March but not presented to the defense during trial preparations, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The fatal incident took place during a rehearsal at a New Mexico church set, where Baldwin accidentally fired a revolver he believed was unloaded. The shooting led to the death of Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, prompting widespread concern over safety measures on film sets.
