Santa Fe, NM – In a recent court ruling, actor Alec Baldwin’s quest to have his involuntary manslaughter charge dismissed was denied, setting the stage for his impending trial concerning the unfortunate death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” The trial is slated to commence in just under two weeks.
Baldwin’s legal representatives had moved to discard the case citing damage to the primary piece of evidence, a .45-caliber Colt revolver, during its analysis at an FBI lab. They argued that the damage inflicted during testing comprises Baldwin’s right to a fair trial by preventing defense experts from examining the weapon in its pristine form.
During a hearing earlier this week, Baldwin’s lawyer, John Bash, expressed frustration over the inability to have their expert review the firearm in its unaltered state, stressing the unfair disadvantage to Baldwin. He stated, “We can never use our own expert to examine the original state of that firearm,” indicating a significant breach in the equity of the legal process.
In response, prosecutors acknowledged the gun’s damage during the FBI’s examination but contended that it would not impede a fair judicial process for Baldwin. They maintained that despite the damage, the evidence could still serve a purpose in the trial.
In her resolution, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer refuted the defense’s motion to dismiss based on assertions that an intact firearm could potentially exonerate Baldwin. She wrote in her decision that speculative merits of the unaltered gun do not automatically render it beneficial for the case without explicit and substantiated explanations on how additional testing could clear Baldwin.
Additionally, the judge’s decision mandates the prosecution to fully disclose details regarding the destructive nature of the initial firearms testing, outlining the extent of the damage and its implications for the trial, which is expected to begin with jury selection in July.
Baldwin, who could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense team has not yet made a statement following the ruling.
Previously, Baldwin’s defense argued that the prosecution had failed to present crucial evidence during preliminary hearings. Hutchins died on October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal when the prop gun Baldwin was handling discharged a live round, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has repeatedly stated in interviews that the gun fired without him pulling the trigger.
In related developments, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the “Rust” set, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins’ death and was convicted in March. This week, she sought a new trial, alleging nondisclosure of critical information concerning the damaged firearm by prosecutors, which they claim could indicate potential government misconduct.
Gutierrez-Reed’s legal team argued that the state’s failure to reveal details about the gun’s condition during her trial suppressed essential evidence possibly exculpatory to her case, infringing upon her rights under both U.S. and New Mexico legal standards.
These legal entanglements underscore ongoing concerns regarding safety protocols in film production, a debate that has intensified following the tragic incident. The outcome of these trials may set significant precedents for how on-set safety is managed and how legal responsibilities are assigned in the entertainment industry.