Alec Baldwin’s Involuntary Manslaughter Case Concludes

The End of the Baldwin Case

The involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin has now reached its resolution.

Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey revealed that she has chosen to retract her appeal against the judge’s decision to dismiss the case. This came following the state attorney general’s office’s announcement that it had no plans to further pursue the appeal for the prosecution.

Accusations Against Baldwin

Baldwin faced charges of involuntary manslaughter for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. During the trial in July, the prosecution had aimed to prove Baldwin’s recklessness and criminal negligence when he discharged a Colt .45 while rehearsing a scene in the movie “Rust.”

The Trial’s Abrupt End

However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case on the third day of proceedings after discovering that the prosecution failed to provide the defense with crucial evidence, namely, a batch of bullets. The judge criticized Morrissey’s conduct of the case, describing it as dangerously close to bad faith.

Arguments from Both Sides

Baldwin’s defense team contended that the prosecution had intentionally withheld the evidence, which could have been leveraged in his defense. They argued that as an actor, Baldwin was not tasked with ensuring gun safety on set and could not have known that his firearm was loaded with a live round.

Following the dismissal, Morrissey claimed that the defense misled the judge and asserted the bullets were irrelevant to the case. She filed an appeal notice, but the New Mexico attorney general’s office would have needed to take the case to the Court of Appeals.

Given the attorney general’s reluctance to vigorously advocate for the state’s position, the prosecutor’s office admitted that its attempts to prosecute Baldwin encountered numerous obstacles hindering their ability to prosecute to the full extent of the law.

Final Vindication for Baldwin

Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas, Baldwin’s attorneys, had earlier expressed doubt that Attorney General Raúl Torrez would continue with the appeal. They welcomed the decision to withdraw it.

They said, “Today’s decision to dismiss the appeal is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning — this was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. The rule of law remains intact in New Mexico.”

Hutchins Family’s Ongoing Legal Pursuit

The prosecutor’s office stated that Hutchins’ mother, father, and sister, all residents of Ukraine, were consulted before the appeal’s withdrawal and voiced their objections.

The family continues to seek a civil lawsuit against Baldwin and the movie’s producers in New Mexico’s state court.

“This has always been about seeking justice for Halyna Hutchins,” Morrissey said in a statement. “We regret that Mr. Baldwin will not be held accountable for the role he played in the death of Halyna Hutchins and as we withdraw the appeal, we do so with the hope that the outstanding lawsuits bring some measure of justice to the family of Halyna Hutchins.”

Commendation and Criticism

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the elected district attorney in Santa Fe, praised Morrissey for her handling of the case.

Morrissey secured a guilty verdict against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer who loaded a live bullet into Baldwin’s gun. Gutierrez Reed is currently serving an 18-month sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the case.

“The dismissal of criminal charges against Baldwin has sparked debate about the legal process and accountability in the Rust incident in which a talented cinematographer lost her life, and director Joel Souza was injured,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. “Halyna’s tragic death has prompted industry-wide scrutiny, specifically in New Mexico, of safety protocols, especially the use of firearms and live ammunition on set. Halyna’s family set up the Halyna Hutchins Foundation to advocate for safer practices in the industry, promoting safety education and honoring her legacy as a talented filmmaker.”

Carmack-Altwies continued: “Despite its disagreement with the Court’s decision, the FJDA remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice. There is still much work to be done in criminal court, and our office will continue to diligently prosecute cases with integrity, fairness, and commitment to the rule of law.”

“Rust” Premiere

“Rust” premiered last month at the EnergaCamerimage festival in Toruń, Poland.

FAQs

What was Alec Baldwin’s case about?

Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter following the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of “Rust” in October 2021.

What was the outcome of the case?

The case was dismissed due to a lack of key evidence provided to the defense. The prosecutor’s appeal was subsequently withdrawn.

What is the Halyna Hutchins Foundation?

The Halyna Hutchins Foundation was set up by Halyna’s family to advocate for safer practices in the film industry, promote safety education, and honor her legacy as a talented filmmaker.

Credit: variety.com