Rust prosecutors drop Alec Baldwin case, actor won’t face charges again

Alec Baldwin Will no longer face charges in connection with October 2021 shooting rust cinematographer Helena Hutchins.
special prosecutor Cary T. Morrissey said Monday, Dec. 23, that an appeal to reinstate charges against the 66-year-old actor has been denied due to a lack of support from the New Mexico District Attorney’s Office. new york times and CBS News.
Prosecutors’ previous case against Baldwin collapsed at his trial in July, when Baldwin’s lawyers successfully argued that prosecutors withheld evidence that might be relevant to the case.
“The state’s efforts to continue prosecuting this case in a fair and comprehensive manner have encountered multiple obstacles that undermine its ability to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Morrissey said in a release. new york times.
A statement from The New Paper said: “The appeal will challenge the court’s dismissal of criminal charges against producer and actor Alec Baldwin, including an alleged assault on cinematographer Harry on the set of Rust on October 21, 2021. Manslaughter in the tragic shooting of Na Hutchins.
“The FJDA commends Morrisey for his work in prosecuting two cases of this magnitude and national attention, including the successful prosecution of Hannah Gutierrez Reed. The FJDA supports the Hutchins family and their continued efforts in civil court The fight for justice,” added the statement reported by CBS News.

Helena Hutchins
Courtesy of Halyna Hutchins/Instagrambaldwin’s lawyer Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro“The decision to deny the appeal is the ultimate vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning – that this was an unspeakable tragedy, but that Alec Baldwin did not commit a crime. New Mexico’s The rule of law remains intact.
Baldwin has yet to comment publicly on the decision, but shared a link on Monday new york times Post an article about it via X.
Hutchins was killed rust director Joel Souza In October 2021, Hutchins was injured after firing a prop gun loaded with real bullets on set. Reach a settlement.
Baldwin denied pulling the trigger and was later charged with two counts of manslaughter in January 2023 and pleaded not guilty a month later. Criminal charges were dropped in April 2023.
The case was dismissed by a First Judicial District judge Mary Marlowe Sommer July. Sommer agreed with Baldwin’s attorneys that prosecutors hid evidence that could be related to the fatal shooting.
“There is nothing the court can do to right this wrong,” Sommer said in court, NBC News reported. “The sanction of dismissal is the only reasonable remedy.” The dismissal was with prejudice, meaning Baldwin’s manslaughter case cannot be brought again. , but Morrissey attempted to appeal the decision.
The armorer in the movie, Hannah Gutierrez-ReedIn March, he was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. An appeal by her lawyers for a new trial was dismissed in September.