Actor Alec Baldwin has broken his silence after a New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against him in connection with the tragic shooting incident on the set of the film ‘Rust.’ In a statement obtained by Deadline, Baldwin expressed gratitude amid a tumultuous legal battle.
“I am grateful for the tremendous support I have received during this challenging time,” he said.
He also shared a photo of himself taken inside the courtroom on Instagram.
“There are so many people who have supported me that I can’t thank enough. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness to my family,” he wrote alongside the photo.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the decision announced Friday by Judge Marlo Somers not only dismisses the charges against Baldwin but also bars any possibility of a retrial, effectively ending the criminal proceedings against him.
The verdict came after a day-long hearing that saw heated debate over alleged mishandling of evidence by authorities.
Judge Marlowe Somers clearly underscored the impact of procedural errors on the fairness of the trial, stating, “The late discovery of this evidence has compromised the fundamental fairness of these proceedings. There is no remedy other than dismissal of the charges.”
During the hearing, the judge personally inspected a bag of ammunition related to the case, which Baldwin’s legal team claimed had been kept hidden from them until recently.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, this development had significant consequences, including the resignation of one special prosecutor and the testimony of another.
The trial was initially expected to last two weeks, but ended abruptly on the third day, leaving Baldwin visibly upset but choosing to remain silent as he left the courtroom.
Prosecutor Carrie Morrissey accepted the judge’s decision, saying there was no conclusive evidence linking the recovered ammunition to the tragic incident involving cinematographer Helena Hutchins.
The motion to dismiss, filed by Baldwin’s defense team, highlighted key evidence that emerged following the trial against the film’s weapons manufacturer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, this included bullets allegedly matching the fatal bullet, which retired officer Troy Teske belatedly revealed to authorities in March but were not presented to the defense during trial preparations.
The fatal incident occurred during a rehearsal at a church in New Mexico, where Baldwin inadvertently fired a loaded revolver that he believed was empty.
The incident killed Helena Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, sparking widespread scrutiny over safety protocols on film sets.
The legal proceedings against Baldwin have been tumultuous, with conflicting forensic reports and witness testimony since charges were first filed in January 2023, dropped and later reinstated.
Following the dismissal, Brian Panish, the attorney representing Helena’s widower Matthew Hutchins, expressed disappointment, and reiterated his commitment to holding Baldwin accountable.
In an official statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Panish said, “We respect the court’s decision. We look forward to presenting all evidence to the jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Helena Hutchins.”
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