Alec Baldwin has been cleared of involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021.
The decision by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in New Mexico came after allegations from Baldwin’s defence team that the Santa Fe sheriff’s office concealed crucial evidence regarding the live round that killed Hutchins.
The dismissal followed a hearing where Baldwin’s lawyers argued that the sheriff’s office did not properly document or disclose the presence of live rounds, which they claimed could implicate Seth Kenney, the movie’s prop supplier. Kenney, who denied supplying live ammunition to the production, was slated to testify against Baldwin.
The controversy revolved around Colt .45 rounds handed over to the sheriff’s office on March 6 by Troy Teske, a friend of Thell Reed, stepfather of Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez. This occurred on the same day Gutierrez was convicted of involuntary manslaughter about Hutchins’ death.
During the proceedings, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office technician Marissa Poppel testified that the rounds were filed under a different case number but were not intentionally hidden from Baldwin. However, Baldwin’s attorney, Eric Spiro, argued that the Colt .45 ammunition could potentially match the fatal round that killed Hutchins.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey challenged the defence’s claims of evidence concealment, questioning why these concerns were not raised earlier in the investigation.
Morrissey had previously accused Gutierrez of bringing live rounds onto the set, an allegation Gutierrez denied. Prosecutors also alleged Baldwin’s negligence in handling the firearm involved.
Baldwin’s defence contended that Gutierrez and other crew members responsible for safety on the set failed to uphold proper protocols.
They criticized law enforcement authorities for allegedly focusing more on prosecuting Baldwin than investigating the origin of the live round that led to Hutchins’ death.
The dismissal of charges marks a pivotal development in the ongoing legal fallout from the tragic incident on the “Rust” film set. It has reignited debates surrounding safety practices in the entertainment industry and raised questions about accountability for on-set accidents involving firearms.
