After a media frenzy and conflicting stories, Alec Baldwin goes free after firing the gun that killed a cameraman on the set of his film Rust in New Mexico.
The 65-year-old actor learned on Thursday that two involuntary manslaughter charges against him over the October 2021 murder of Halyna Hutchins have been dropped.
The news came the same day Baldwin and other cast members resumed filming the movie in Montana.
Production halted abruptly in October 2021 when Baldwin shot a live round with a prop pistol that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film in New Mexico.
“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement.
After a media frenzy and conflicting stories, Alec Baldwin goes free after firing the gun that killed a cameraman on the set of his film Rust in New Mexico.
Baldwin, 65, was charged in January with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Hutchins and the wounding of “Rust” director Joel Souza, who was struck by the same bullet that passed through Hutchins.
The case against Baldwin was already winding down. A weapons charge that would have meant a much longer sentence had already been dismissed and the first special prosecutor appointed to the case resigned.
This is despite a damning report from the FBI that concluded that Alec Baldwin did indeed pull the trigger on the gun that killed the cameraman on the set of Rust – despite his repeated claims that he didn’t.
The report could still lead to criminal charges against the actor and others involved in the accidental shooting, as the Santa Fe Police Department continues to investigate Hutchin’s death.
Prosecutors in New Mexico have been beset by legal errors since they filed charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed in January. The most serious charges against the defendants were dropped in February and two prosecutors have resigned.
The source, who is familiar with conversations between Baldwin’s attorneys and special prosecutors, said prosecutors are expected to drop charges against Baldwin in a court hearing on Thursday.
New evidence showed that the firearm used by Baldwin had been modified, and prosecutors could no longer prove that a trigger had to be pulled to fire, the source said.
The two sides had discussed the charges ahead of a May 3 hearing, when a New Mexico judge would decide whether Baldwin should stand trial.
The 65-year-old actor learned on Thursday that two involuntary manslaughter charges against him over the October 2021 murder of Halyna Hutchins (pictured) have been dropped
The news came the same day Baldwin and other cast members resumed filming the movie in Montana
Baldwin was charged with displaying a “reckless” disregard for safety in Hutchins’ death. He pleaded not guilty in February after prosecutors downplayed the seriousness of the charges, cutting potential jail time.
He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger.
After a damning safety review by New Mexico regulators detailing complaints of ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins’ death in October 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine.
Baldwin’s co-defendant and Rust armor star Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still facing charges against her.
It was not immediately clear whether the charges could be refiled or whether the charges against Gutierrez-Reed would also be dropped.
Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers said they “fully expect Hannah to be acquitted as well at the end of this trial.”
This will keep the investigation of the accident open and allow prosecutors to retain the power to issue subpoenas in the future.
It comes just days after the submission of the witness list for the preliminary hearing on May 3 became public.
That includes former Rust script supervisor Mamie Mitchell – who is suing Baldwin and his fellow producers in one of several lawsuits against them.
Camera crews were on hand to capture the tender moment Alec kissed his wife and child goodbye on Wednesday
Despite the controversy, a spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions told CNN on Tuesday that filming will continue at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana.
Baldwin stands next to Hutchins – a mother of a child – on the set of Rust in October 2021
However, it is thought that the hearing will not take place, with prosecutors set to re-examine the circumstances of the incident.
It follows the departure of Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies late last month.
Baldwin even had to travel to New Mexico for a trial, and according to state law, nothing was required of him. Evidence hearings were scheduled for next month to determine whether there would be a trial.
Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies had previously said her office is pursuing justice in Hutchins’ death and wants to show that no one is above the law when it comes to firearms and public safety. She says the Ukrainian-born cameraman’s death was tragic and preventable.
The two special prosecutors hearing the case in New Mexico’s First Judicial District had no comment, their spokesman Heather Brewer said.