Charges against actor Alec Baldwin over 'Rust' shooting death formally dismissed


By AGENCY

2019 filepic of actor Alec Baldwin. Prosecutors in New Mexico plan to drop an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film 'Rust'. – Photo: AP

New Mexico special prosecutors on Friday dropped charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the 2021 shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marking what many legal analysts said was a logical conclusion to a flawed prosecution.

The move followed new evidence about the gun Baldwin was holding when it fired the bullet that killed Hutchins during the movie's filming in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a person close to state prosecutors said.

The information undermined the prosecution's case after a series of legal fumbles, pushing them to dismiss charges ahead of a May hearing when a judge was to decide whether there was sufficient evidence to try Baldwin and Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

"The case is dismissed without prejudice and the investigation is active and ongoing," prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a filing.

Prosecutors continued to charge Gutierrez-Reed, 25, with involuntary manslaughter. She has said she loaded the live round into the gun mistaking it for a dummy round. The preliminary hearing on her case was pushed to Aug. 9.

The dismissal of the same charge against Baldwin came after his attorney last week presented evidence that the reproduction Colt .45 used by Baldwin had been modified with new parts since its manufacture by Italian gunmaker F.LLI Pietta.

The information compromised the prosecution's argument the gun was in full working condition and could only fire if Baldwin had recklessly pulled the trigger, according to the person familiar with the case.

Special prosecutors said they might refile charges against Baldwin once new evidence was examined, though legal experts doubted it.

"This very weak case against Baldwin should never have been filed in the first place," said Ambrosio Rodriguez, a former prosecutor with Riverside County District Attorney's Office, California.

Filming of Rust resumed in Montana this week with many of the same principal actors, including Baldwin, and was expected to be completed in May.

Rust Movie Productions (RMP) said in February it would not restart filming in New Mexico, without citing a reason. A Santa Fe prosecutor charged Baldwin and others in January. – Reuters

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Entertainment

'Abang Adik' wins Best Film at the 10th Asian World Film Festival held in Los Angeles
Action star Jackie Chan recalls earning his first HK$4mil pay cheque and buying 7 luxury watches in one go
HK actor Philip Keung tears up while discussing tough childhood; was once told to quit acting
Local hiphop superstar Yogi B and rising songstress Arulini to join music prodigy GV Prakash on stage in Bukit Jalil on Dec 7
'The Voice' winner recovers at home after being accidentally shot
Boy George regrets comments about Liam Payne days before death
Cher says ex-husband Sonny Bono ‘seriously thought’ about killing her near the end of their 'loveless marriage'
'Gladiator 3' already in works, say director and star
Japanese porn stars charging HK$150,000 for sex arrested in Hong Kong operation
Kenneth Ma and Moses Chan secure "No.1 brother" status in TVB anniversary group photo

Others Also Read