Baldwin cleared of charges in "Rust" tragedy, civil cases loom
Over three years after the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," the criminal case against Alec Baldwin has finally been concluded.
The case of Alec Baldwin captivated audiences not only in America. The first trial ended in a triumph for the actor's lawyers, who proved that key evidence in the case of Halyna Hutchins' death had been concealed from them. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey attempted to reopen the case concerning involuntary manslaughter. However, on Monday, the office of New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez decided not to pursue an appeal on behalf of the prosecution. This means Baldwin will no longer be tried in relation to the incident on the set of "Rust."
Alec Baldwin was to answer for the death of the film's cinematographer
The decision to dismiss the appeal confirms what Alec Baldwin and his legal team have maintained from the start: while the incident was an unimaginable tragedy, Alec Baldwin did not commit any crime, stated his lead attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, on Monday.
Despite this, Baldwin is not yet completely free from legal troubles. Several civil lawsuits related to the shooting are ongoing in California and New Mexico courts. Meanwhile, as shown by his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, the Emmy Award winner is returning to professional activities. Next year, Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria, will appear in a reality show with their seven children.
Halyna Hutchins was killed on 21 October 2021 when a Colt .45 held by Baldwin during a rehearsal on the "Rust" set discharged live ammunition. Director Joel Souza was injured. Baldwin and armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter. In April, Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in state prison. Many people believed Baldwin would meet a similar fate.
Despite numerous investigations and trials, it has not been clarified how live ammunition ended up on the set. Prosecutors, lawyers, and witnesses were unable to determine the exact reason for the presence of real bullets during the filming.
