Judge Dismisses Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Case Over Withheld Evidence

Alec Baldwin broke down in tears Friday in a New Mexico courtroom as Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed all charges against him in the “Lust” shooting.

Baldwin’s lawyers argued for the case to be dismissed, arguing that prosecutors had withheld key evidence, and the judge agreed.

According to the Associated Press, the defense argued that the state concealed evidence of ammunition that could be linked to the shooting. While the prosecution argued that the ammunition was not related to the incident and was not hidden, the defense argued that the state should have had the ability to determine the significance of the ammunition.

A judge dismissed the manslaughter charge, meaning he cannot be charged again.

“The belated discovery of this evidence during the trial prevented its effective use and undermined the fundamental fairness of the trial,” Marlow Sommer said. “Even if this conduct does not rise to the level of malice, the signs of malice are arguably close to it.”

Alec was seen embracing his emotional legal team and wife Hilaria following the judge’s verdict.

Baldwin is charged with felony manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins on the set of the film “Lust,” and his trial began this week.

After the verdict, Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, released a statement through their lawyer, saying, “We respect the court’s decision and look forward to presenting all of the evidence to the jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halina Hutchins.”

If convicted, Alec faces 18 months in prison.

As the trial got underway, the defense gave their opening statements on Wednesday. Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson spoke first, showing the gun that was fired that fateful day and arguing that Alec “violated the basic rules of firearm safety.”

Johnson told the court, “When someone plays house with a real gun in a real workplace and that role-play violates basic rules of firearms safety, people’s lives are put at risk and someone could be killed. The evidence will show that the person who played house with a real gun and violated basic rules of firearms safety was the defendant, Alexander Baldwin.”

Baldwin’s lawyers countered, arguing that the evidence shows “real bullets could never have been on a movie set.”

Police said Hutchins’ death was an “unspeakable tragedy” but that Baldwin had committed no crime.

The defense said the film’s cinematographer and first assistant director were responsible, saying, “This is an unspeakable tragedy, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. He was an actor, a performer, and he was playing the role of Harlan Rust. An actor playing a role can commit deadly acts, Baldwin’s lawyers said. These ‘iron rules’ are not ironclad rules on a movie set.”

Baldwin, who has maintained his innocence, said in his only face-to-face interview with George Stephanopoulos, “Someone is responsible for what happened. I can’t tell you who it is, but I know it wasn’t me.”