SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has denied Alec Baldwin’s request to dismiss the sole criminal charge against him in a fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust,” ensuring the case will proceed to trial this summer.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer upheld the indictment charging Baldwin with one count of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The defense argued that prosecutors violated grand jury rules to hide exculpatory evidence and witnesses, but the judge rejected these claims.
Special prosecutors refuted allegations of misconduct in the grand jury proceedings and accused Baldwin of trying to evade responsibility by contradicting his statements to law enforcement, workplace safety regulators, and in a televised interview.
With Friday’s ruling, prosecutors can now proceed with Baldwin’s trial in July.
“We look forward to our day in court,” said defense attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro in an email.
During a rehearsal on the movie set, Baldwin pointed a gun at Hutchins, causing it to discharge and fatally injure her. Baldwin claims he only pulled back the gun’s hammer, not the trigger.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 1.5 years in prison.
Judge Marlowe Sommer concluded that prosecutors did not act in bad faith during the grand jury proceedings and were not required to present exculpatory evidence.
Court arguments last week revealed accusations from Baldwin’s defense team about prosecutors silencing grand jurors and failing to communicate with defense witnesses.
Prosecutors dropped an earlier charge against Baldwin after learning the gun might have been modified before the shooting. A new analysis of the gun allowed prosecutors to reinstate the case.
Baldwin’s trial became a focal point during the trial of movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ death last year.
Prosecutors emphasized Baldwin’s role as a co-producer and lead actor on “Rust” in Gutierrez-Reed’s trial, analyzing video footage for firearms safety concerns.
Prosecutors contended that Gutierrez-Reed brought live ammunition to the set and failed to follow gun safety protocols. Gutierrez-Reed is appealing her conviction.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
