The New Mexico judge has rejected Alec Baldwin’s request to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge against him in connection with the fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.” This decision paves the way for the case to proceed to trial this summer. Baldwin had been charged with involuntary manslaughter after the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. The judge upheld the indictment and denied defense arguments that prosecutors had mishandled the grand jury proceedings.
The prosecutors have denied any wrongdoing in the grand jury proceedings and accused Baldwin of trying to evade responsibility for the incident. They highlighted contradictions in Baldwin’s statements to law enforcement, workplace safety regulators, and in a televised interview. The decision on Friday now sets the stage for Baldwin to face trial in July, where he will have to defend himself against the involuntary manslaughter charge. The incident occurred during a rehearsal on the set of the movie, when Baldwin pointed a gun at Hutchins, resulting in her death and injuring director Joel Souza.
The judge, Mary Marlowe Sommer, rejected claims that prosecutors had acted in bad faith during the grand jury proceedings. She stated that prosecutors are not required to present exculpatory evidence to the grand jury and that the jury can make an independent determination based on the evidence presented. The defense attorneys for Baldwin had accused prosecutors of cutting off questions from grand jurors and failing to communicate with defense witnesses. The detailed records of the grand jury proceedings are not accessible to the public.
Previously, an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dismissed after it was suggested that the gun he was holding might have been modified and malfunctioned. However, a new analysis of the gun allowed prosecutors to revive the case against him. The trial of movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed provided insight into how Baldwin’s trial could unfold, as both the prosecution and defense highlighted Baldwin’s role as a co-producer and lead actor on “Rust.” The trial focused on firearm safety practices on set and the handling of live ammunition.
Prosecutors have now turned their attention to Baldwin after Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for her role in the fatal shooting. Baldwin’s trial is expected to shed more light on the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident on the set of “Rust.” The defense attorneys for Baldwin have expressed their readiness to face the charges in court and are prepared to present their case. The upcoming trial will be closely watched by the public and the entertainment industry as it seeks to determine accountability and justice in the wake of the tragic loss of life.
