Defense attorneys allege that prosecutors concealed ammunition evidence potentially linking prop company owner to the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust."
SANTA FE, N.M.: Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial was thrown into disarray on Friday after his attorneys accused prosecutors of withholding crucial evidence and demanded the dismissal of the case.
The defense team claims that investigators and prosecutors withheld evidence related to the source of the ammunition that led to the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust" in 2021.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Trial in Jeopardy over Withheld Evidence
Defense attorney Luke Nikas argued, "This is critical evidence in the case that was never disclosed to us. This is not the first time. It's not the second time. It's not even the third time. It's time for this case to be dismissed."
Baldwin's defense contends that prosecutors withheld evidence that prop company owner Seth Kenney may have supplied the deadly rounds.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Trial in Jeopardy over Withheld Evidence
After armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was convicted of loading a live round into the revolver that Baldwin fired, retired local police Officer Troy Teske delivered a collection of rounds to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, claiming they came from Kenney and potentially matched the bullet that killed Hutchins.
During cross-examination, crime scene technician Marissa Poppell admitted she did not properly inventory the evidence from Teske under the "Rust" case. The rounds, which allegedly have similar casings and primers to the fatal bullet, were never sent to the FBI for testing.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Trial in Jeopardy over Withheld Evidence
A month after receiving the rounds, Poppell filed a supplemental report on the new evidence, but this material was also not provided to the defense.
Prosecutor Kari Morrisey argued that the live rounds are not a match and that the defense is exaggerating the issue. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer examined the rounds in court and expressed skepticism of Morrisey's assessment.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Trial in Jeopardy over Withheld Evidence
The unexpected turn came on the fourth day of Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial in Santa Fe District Court.Prosecutors contend that Baldwin bore responsibility for the safety of the gun, despite being assured it was safe. Baldwin's attorneys maintain that he should not be held accountable for checking the gun himself, as he relied on the assurances of others.
The trial is now in jeopardy as the judge weighs the significance of the withheld evidence and considers whether to grant the defense's request to dismiss the case.
Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Trial in Jeopardy over Withheld Evidence
