A New Mexico judge has supported her previous decision to drop the involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust.”
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer reaffirmed her ruling on Thursday, maintaining that the involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin should be dismissed. The case was dismissed during trial due to accusations that law enforcement and prosecutors had not disclosed crucial evidence to the defense regarding the 2021 incident.
The trial faced significant disruptions when it was revealed that a man had brought ammunition to the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office in March, suggesting a potential connection to Hutchins’ death. Prosecutors downplayed the significance of the ammunition, while Baldwin’s legal team argued that investigators had concealed the evidence in a separate case file. As a result, they successfully filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey now has the option to appeal the decision to a higher court if she chooses to do so.
During the filming of “Rust” in October 2021, Baldwin, who was both the lead actor and co-producer, was rehearsing a scene where he pointed a gun at Hutchins. Tragically, the gun discharged, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin maintains that he did not pull the trigger, but rather pulled back the hammer of the gun.
In a separate development, the movie’s weapons supervisor, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was sentenced in April to 1.5 years in a state penitentiary after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins’ death. Gutierrez-Reed has since requested that Judge Marlowe Sommer dismiss her conviction or organize a new trial, alleging that prosecutors did not disclose potentially exculpatory evidence.
The case has generated significant public interest and brought attention to the complexities and challenges of ensuring safety on film sets, particularly when firearms are involved. The tragic incident has prompted a reevaluation of safety protocols and procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
As investigations and legal proceedings continue, the entertainment industry is grappling with the aftermath of the shooting incident on the set of “Rust.” The case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and diligence in maintaining a safe working environment for all individuals involved in film production.
