Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin’s 'Rust' shooting case despite allegations of withheld evidence

A New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin on Friday, citing that prosecutors and police had withheld crucial evidence regarding the live round that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

The decision came just three days into Baldwin’s trial, casting a spotlight on the prosecution’s handling of the case.

New Mexico district court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled in favor of Baldwin’s defense, agreeing that there was a deliberate “cover-up” by prosecutors.

The dismissal marked a significant victory for Baldwin, who faced an unprecedented criminal prosecution for an on-set shooting. Breaking down in tears, Baldwin embraced his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, as other family members also wept in the courtroom.

Baldwin’s attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that the Santa Fe sheriff’s office had obtained live rounds in March, which were critical to the case, but failed to document or disclose them to the defense. “The state’s withholding of the evidence was willful and deliberate,” Judge Sommer stated. “Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice.”

The case’s lead investigator, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Alexandria Hancock, admitted under cross-examination that the live rounds had not been inventoried or included in the “Rust” investigation file. Spiro suggested this omission was intended to protect the law enforcement case, a claim Hancock did not refute.

The saga of mishandled evidence and prosecutorial missteps culminated in the resignation of state prosecutor Erlinda Johnson, the fourth prosecutor to exit the case. Lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey, in an unusual move, took the witness stand to defend her actions. “I did not intend to mislead the court,” Morrissey insisted, claiming there had been a misunderstanding regarding the evidence.

The case has been heavily scrutinized, with many legal analysts arguing it should never have proceeded to trial. “The prosecution felt it had to cheat to get the result it wanted,” said Duncan Levin, a New York defense attorney. “This is the worst of our system on display.”

The tragic incident occurred when Baldwin was instructed to point a revolver at Hutchins during a camera setup. The weapon discharged a .45 caliber round, inadvertently loaded by the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez. The Colt .45 rounds central to the dismissal were submitted to the sheriff’s office on March 6 by Troy Teske, a friend of Gutierrez’s stepfather, Thell Reed. This submission coincided with Gutierrez’s conviction for involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ death.

Testimony revealed inconsistencies in the handling of the ammunition. Sheriff’s office technician Marissa Poppel testified that the rounds handed in by Teske did not match those collected from the “Rust” set. However, defense attorneys found that some rounds bore the “Starline Brass” logo, similar to those found on set, challenging the prosecution’s assertions.

In a tense exchange, Judge Sommer questioned Corporal Hancock about the decision to file Teske’s ammunition under a separate case number, implicating Hancock’s supervisors and prosecutors, including Morrissey, in the decision. Spiro further alleged Morrissey harbored a personal vendetta against Baldwin, an accusation she denied.

Baldwin’s defense contended that he was let down by those responsible for on-set safety, including Gutierrez, and that law enforcement was more focused on prosecuting Baldwin than uncovering the true source of the live round. Prop supplier Seth Kenney, accused by the defense of providing live rounds to “Rust,” denied the allegations in his testimony.

The dismissal of Baldwin’s charges raises questions about the potential impact on Gutierrez’s conviction, which is currently under appeal. The legal and procedural failings exposed during the trial have left many pondering the broader implications for justice and accountability in Hollywood and beyond.