Judge Dismisses Involuntary Manslaughter Case Against Alec Baldwin

In an unexpected turn of events, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin on Friday, July 12. Related to the tragic incident on the set of the movie 'Rust'. The decision came after Baldwin's defense argued that crucial evidence had been concealed during the proceedings.

Marlowe Sommer stated that the prosecution had failed in its obligation to "disclose critical evidence to the defendant," causing an "unnecessary" and "incurable" delay in the trial. “The late discovery of this evidence during the trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has affected the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” said the judge. “If this conduct does not reach the level of bad faith, it certainly approaches it. The only way to rectify this error is the dismissal of the case.”

Baldwin's defense alleged that the prosecutors had concealed evidence about the ammunition that could be linked to the shooting on the 'Rust' set in 2021, arguing they should have had the ability to determine its significance. The prosecution maintained that the ammunition was unrelated to the case and had not been hidden.

Upon hearing the judge's decision, Baldwin broke down in tears alongside his wife, Hilaria, and was comforted by his siblings, Stephen and Beth. The actor left the Santa Fe, New Mexico courthouse as a free man, accompanied by his family and without making any statements to the press.

Prosecutor Kari Morrissey stated that while she respected the judge's decision, she did not agree with it.

Alec Baldwin, 66, had faced a potential 18-month prison sentence for an involuntary manslaughter charge related to the death of 'Rust' cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. Hutchins, 42, died when a live round was accidentally fired during a rehearsal on set. A native of Ukraine, Hutchins was married and had a son.