Decision to dismiss charges against Alec Baldwin does NOT ‘absolve him of criminal culpability’

Alec Baldwin could face new charges for shooting a camerawoman on the set of his western film Rust, New Mexico prosecutors warned hours after the manslaughter charge was dismissed.

The special prosecutors assigned to the case stressed Thursday evening that Baldwin had not been acquitted.

Their statement came shortly after Baldwin’s lawyers said their client was “pleased” and the actor posted a tribute to his wife on Instagram, thanking her for her support.

“This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of his criminal guilt and the charges may be brought again,” said Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis.

Baldwin, 65, had insisted he didn’t pull the trigger when the prop gun fired in October 2021, killing Halyna Hutchins, 42. The FBI said that was impossible.

Kari Morrissey (left) and Jason Lewis, special prosecutors in the Rust shooting case, issued a statement on Thursday evening saying they had “new facts” leading them to dismiss charges against Baldwin – but stressed that he was not had been acquitted

The charges were dropped on Thursday because new evidence showed that the gun could indeed have fired without the trigger being pulled, a source told The Wall Street Journal.

Prosecutors confirmed that they had obtained “new facts” about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, prompting them to drop existing charges against Baldwin.

The gunsmith who supplied the prop gun, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is still being prosecuted as planned.

“In recent days and in preparation for the preliminary hearing on May 3, 2023, new facts have come to light that require further investigation and forensic analysis in the case of Alexander ‘Alec’ Rae Baldwin, III,” Morrissey and Lewis said in their statement. . rack.

“As a result, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the basis of the facts and evidence provided by law enforcement as it stands.

“We will therefore dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation.

“This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal guilt and the charges may be brought again.

“Our follow-up research remains active and ongoing. The charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged.

“No further statements will be made at this time.”

Rust armor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged with Hutchins’ death along with Baldwin

Baldwin stands next to Hutchins – a mother of a child – on the set of Rust in October 2021

Baldwin speaks on the phone in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the fatal shooting

Legal analysts said the decision to drop the charges but leave the door open for them to be refiled was bizarre.

And their statement certainly takes the shine off Baldwin’s partying.

Shortly before, his lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, told DailyMail.com: “We are pleased with the decision to drop the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”

Baldwin arrived in Montana on Thursday to resume filming on the movie, which was shot in New Mexico at the time of Hutchins’ death.

He thanked his 39-year-old wife Hilaria, mother of his seven children, when he heard the charges had been dismissed.

“I owe everything I have to this woman,” Baldwin said as he posted a photo to Instagram.

Baldwin added: “(and to you, Luke)” – a reference to his attorney, Luke Nikas.

It was announced earlier this year that Baldwin would continue to play the lead role of Rust, with a different cinematographer replacing Hutchins.

Despite the controversy, a spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions told CNN on Tuesday that filming will continue at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was murdered on the set of Rust in October 2021

Baldwin’s legal team fought a fierce battle on his behalf.

They have insisted that the Oscar-nominated actor was not responsible for the accident, as he had been told the gun was ‘cold’ – not loaded.

There should never be live ammunition on set, and Baldwin said he trusted the film crew to fulfill their professional responsibilities when purchasing prop guns and dummy ammunition.

His lawyers also challenged the impartiality of Santa Fe prosecutor Mary Carmack-Altwies.

She was removed from the case in February, after Baldwin’s lawyers successfully pointed out that she could not oversee the case while she was running for senate.

Carmack-Altwies said she was determined to prosecute Baldwin, arguing that no one — no matter how famous or wealthy — was outside the law.

She said she was stepping aside for the good of the cause.

“My responsibility to the people of the First Arrondissement is greater than any case, which is why I have chosen to appoint a special prosecutor in the ‘Rust’ case. Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis will staunchly pursue justice in the death of Halyna Hutchins on behalf of the people of the First Judicial District,” she said at the time.