A significant development unfolded in the legal saga surrounding Alec Baldwin and the fatal shooting incident on the set of “Rust,” as a New Mexico judge denied the actor’s motion to dismiss the manslaughter charge against him. The decision, rendered on Friday, holds Baldwin accountable for his part in the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021, with a trial scheduled for July.
The ruling came after extensive arguments from Baldwin’s legal team during a hearing held on June 21 and continued into the following Monday. The defense sought to have the charge dismissed, contending that the gun involved had been damaged during testing by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) post-incident. This damage, they argued, prevented them from conducting their own independent testing crucial to Baldwin’s defense.
Judge Mary Sommer, however, found these arguments unconvincing. She stated that Baldwin’s attorneys failed to establish that the prosecutors had intentionally damaged the gun with the knowledge that it could prove someone’s innocence, or that they were incapable of obtaining “comparable evidence” after the damage occurred. The judge’s decision subsequently ensures that the trial will proceed as planned.
The incident that led to this legal battle occurred near Santa Fe, New Mexico, during the filming of “Rust.” Hutchins was preparing a camera setup when she was shot with a live round from a revolver Baldwin was handling. The actor, known for his roles in “30 Rock” and numerous other productions, has continuously denied responsibility for her death. Baldwin claims that while he did point the gun at Hutchins and cocked it, it went off on its own without him pulling the trigger. This assertion has become a pivotal point of contention in the case.
The “Rust” armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, admitted to mistakenly loading a live round into the revolver, an error which led to her being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. In April, she received an 18-month prison sentence.
. Baldwin potentially faces the same sentence if convicted.
Baldwin’s defense has persistently argued that the prosecution’s case is founded on an unverified hypothesis that the revolver was in proper working condition and required the trigger to be pulled to discharge. The defense contends the gun had been modified in a manner that allowed it to fire without a trigger pull, thus challenging the prosecution’s theory.
In her ruling, Judge Sommer acknowledged the centrality of the firearm to the case and anticipated that the prosecution would need to present witnesses capable of detailing the extent and significance of the damage to the gun.
This is not the first time Baldwin has faced these charges. Initially, involuntary manslaughter charges were brought against him in January 2023. However, those charges were dropped after Baldwin’s defense provided evidence suggesting that the revolver had been modified. This revelation implied that the gun could discharge without the trigger being pulled.
Nonetheless, the situation evolved when an independent firearms expert concluded that the gun would not fire from the full cock position without the trigger being engaged. Kari Morrissey, a seasoned criminal defense attorney based in Albuquerque, was appointed as a special prosecutor in the case in March 2023. Acting on her assessment, a grand jury renewed the manslaughter charges against Baldwin earlier this year.
The impending trial promises to be a high-profile legal encounter, with substantial public and media interest. The case has brought to light significant concerns about safety protocols on film sets, the responsibilities of those handling firearms, and the complexities surrounding accidental shootings.
As the legal proceedings against Baldwin move forward, the actor continues to maintain his innocence, contending that the tragic incident was the result of a malfunction and not negligence on his part. The forthcoming trial will be pivotal in determining the outcome of these assertions and the broader implications for industry safety standards.
