A Santa Fe judge has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," citing the prosecution's intentional withholding of exculpatory evidence from the defense.
Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial took a dramatic turn on Friday as a Santa Fe judge dismissed the charge with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought against the actor again. The ruling came after the defense successfully argued that the prosecution had concealed crucial evidence that could have exonerated Baldwin.
As Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced her decision, Baldwin cupped his face in his hands and wept. "The state's willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate," Sommer said. "If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice."
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed Due to Prosecutorial Concealment of Evidence
The dismissed charge stemmed from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust" in October 2021. Baldwin, who was holding a prop gun that fired a live round, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Throughout the trial's first three days, the defense repeatedly accused the prosecution of withholding evidence that could have proved Baldwin's innocence. Specifically, they argued that the state had failed to disclose evidence that the live ammunition used in the shooting came from Seth Kenney, a prop distributor, not from Baldwin or the set's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed Due to Prosecutorial Concealment of Evidence
On Friday morning, defense attorney Luke Nikas presented evidence that Kenney had delivered a collection of rounds to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, which matched the ammunition that killed Hutchins. The rounds had been collected by former Arizona police officer Troy Teske, who testified that Kenney had provided them.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey took the stand and claimed that she never believed Teske's evidence was exculpatory because the ammunition allegedly used in the shooting never left Arizona. However, the defense pointed out that Teske had also delivered a statement, which Morrissey admitted she had not seen until that morning.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed Due to Prosecutorial Concealment of Evidence
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Sommer ordered the jury to be dismissed. She then held an 11th hour hearing, during which she grilled Morrissey and other prosecution witnesses about the missing evidence.
Santa Fe County Sheriff's Corporal Alexendria Hancock admitted that the decision to withhold Teske's evidence was made in consultation with prosecutors and her supervisors. She acknowledged that the evidence was not stored with the other case materials and that the defense was not notified of its existence.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed Due to Prosecutorial Concealment of Evidence
Sommer accused the prosecution of engaging in "scorching" conduct and ruled that the withholding of evidence had prejudiced Baldwin's defense. "There is no way for the court to right this wrong," she declared.
Alec Baldwin's victory in court came after three years of intense scrutiny and legal battles. The actor has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming that he did not know the gun contained live ammunition and that he was following proper safety procedures.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed Due to Prosecutorial Concealment of Evidence
The dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter charge does not absolve Baldwin of all legal liability. He still faces a civil wrongful death lawsuit brought by Hutchins' family. However, the criminal charges that were dismissed were considered the most serious and could have resulted in a significant prison sentence.
The judge's decision is a major setback for the prosecution, which has been investigating the "Rust" shooting for more than three years. It is unclear at this time whether the prosecution will appeal the dismissal or continue to pursue other legal options against Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed Due to Prosecutorial Concealment of Evidence
