Judge Closes the Door for Now on Reopening Alec Baldwin’s Manslaughter Case: Report

Last Update:26 October 2024 11:01 IST

The lawsuit connected to the tragic 2021 shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was initially dismissed, and it looks like that decision will stand.

Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey reportedly plans to file further objections. (Photo Credit: X)

The saga of Alec Baldwin’s dismissed manslaughter case appears to be coming to a quiet end as recent developments suggest he may not be entering a courtroom again anytime soon. The lawsuit connected to the tragic 2021 shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was initially dismissed, and it looks like that decision will stand. Judge Mary Marlow Sommer issued the final ruling on Thursday, reportedly writing: “Given the arguments advanced by the State in the Amended Motion and Answer, the Court concludes that the State has not advanced any factual or legal claims that would justify granting a motion.” to rethink.”

He made clear that prosecutors’ attempts to revive the case were not convincing enough to change his mind. “Therefore, the Amended Motion is not well received and should be denied,” Sommer said, dealing a blow to the prosecution’s case. While Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey reportedly plans to appeal, sources suggest it may not matter much.

The incident in question occurred on October 21, 2021, while the cast and crew of Rust were filming at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe. During a rehearsal, Baldwin was holding a Colt .45 when it unexpectedly went off, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza. According to Deadline, Baldwin constantly claimed that he did not pull the trigger. Legal problems arose after he claimed that the bullets related to the attack were given to the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office without the knowledge of the Baldwin team.

Somer dismissed the case four days before Baldwin’s hearing, citing problems with the handling of evidence. The key to his decision was reportedly a batch of bullets turned over to law enforcement by Troy Teske, a former cop and friend of Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s father. While prosecutors argued that the bullets were unrelated to the incident, Sommer seemed unconvinced by this defense.

If convicted, Baldwin could have faced up to 18 months in prison. However, his claim that the gun misfired before the trigger was pulled contradicted the findings of the FBI and the gun manufacturer.

While Baldwin may be criminally clean, he is not completely free from legal battles. Nearly a dozen civil lawsuits connected to the Rust tragedy are still active, and although he recently returned to the public eye on SNL, his legal troubles may still remain in the shadows.

According to Deadline, Baldwin’s representatives have not yet responded to Sommer’s latest decision, but it is unclear whether they will. Meanwhile, the final cut of Rust is scheduled to premiere at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland next month, but Baldwin will not be attending.