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Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been thrown out after just a week of testimony.
The Hollywood actor, 66, broke down in tears and hugged his attorneys and his wife Hilaria after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced her decision at the end of a chaotic day in the New Mexico courtroom.
Judge Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense. The prosecution will not be able to file charges against Baldwin again in Hutchins’ death.
Nearly three years have passed since a prop gun Baldwin was holding went off during a rehearsal of the film’s shooting scene in 2021, striking and killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter and faced 18 months in prison. Now, he walks free.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer, has already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Her attorney says he plans to move to have her case dismissed.
Lawyers for ‘Rust’ armorer move to get case dismissed after Baldwin trial collapses
Lawyers for convicted Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed say they will move to have her case dismissed following the collapse of the prosecution of Alec Baldwin.
“The judge found intentional misconduct and we also have had the same failures in Hannah’s case, by the State. We will be moving for dismissal of Hannah’s case,” said Jason Bowles, the attorney for Gutierrez-Reed.
Read more:
‘I’m disappointed’: Prosecutor says she disagrees with judge’s decision to dismiss Baldwin case
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey briefly spoke to reporters outside the Santa Fe courthouse.
She said she disagrees with the judge, but respects the court’s decision.
“I’m disappointed, because I believe that the importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys,” Morrissey said.
“We did everything humanly possible to bring justice to Halyna and to her family and we’re proud of the work that we did.”
What does with prejudice mean in Alec Baldwin’s trial?
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the actor’s case with prejudice on Friday.
This dismissal was based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense in the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
This means the prosecution cannot file charges against Baldwin again in the shooting death of Hutchins.
Alec Baldwin’s wife Hilaria and brother Stephen Baldwin cry after case dismissed
‘Rust’ armorer’s attorney will move to get her case dismissed
Jason Bowles, the attorney for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has said he will move to dismiss her case.
“The judge found intentional misconduct and we also have had the same failures in Hannah’s case, by the State. We will be moving for dismissal of Hannah’s case,” Bowles said.
Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March for Halnya Hutchins’ death and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
WATCH: Alec Baldwin breaks down in tears as case is dismissed
Defense asks Morrissey if she doesn’t like Baldwin
When asked by Spiro if she doesn’t like Alec Baldwin, Morrissey responded that she appreciates his movies, SNL work and his politics.
Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson resigned from Alec Baldwin trial today
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey admitted on the stand today that prosecutor Erlinda Johnson unexpectedly resigned from Alec Baldwin’s trial today.
It was reportedly due to a disagreement with having today’s motions hearing public.
WATCH LIVE: Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey testifies in Baldwin trial
Special prosecutor calls herself as a witness in Baldwin’s trial
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has called herself to the witness stand in Alec Baldwin’s trial.
The state is attempting to rebut the defense’s claim that they hid evidence about ammunition.
The defense said it was not necessary for Morrissey to take the stand and did not call her.
Judge Somme reminded Morrissey that there is no requirement for her to testify under oath.
But Morrissey said she thought the judge wanted her to do so.
When the lead investigator was testifying earlier, Morrissey told Sommer that she could testify under oath and it sounded like, to many people in the room, that the judge replied, “You’re going to.”
“I think it’s a good idea that I do it,” Morrissey said.
Source: independent.co.uk
