Alec Baldwin cleared of charges in fatal "Rust" shooting
Alec Baldwin appeared in court to answer charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, whom he shot on the set of the movie "Rust." Following the court's decision, Baldwin went out to celebrate.
The tragic incident occurred three years ago. Alec Baldwin, not knowing he was holding a prop gun loaded with real bullets instead of blanks, fired in the direction of the camera, behind which stood cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. She was quickly taken to the hospital, but the doctors could not save her. Hutchins' death on the movie set shocked the film industry, and voices criticizing the lapses on the " Rust " set emerged from all sides. Years later, charges were brought against Alec Baldwin and Hanna Gutierrez-Reed, the armourer responsible for gun safety on the set.
Alec Baldwin heard the court's decision
- I would never, ever point a loaded gun at anyone, nor pull the trigger (...). I have no idea how live ammunition got on the set of the film - commented Baldwin in a now-famous interview with ABC. Nevertheless, at the beginning of 2024, prosecutors charged Alec Baldwin. He was accused of involuntary manslaughter of Hutchins, facing 18 months of imprisonment.
On July 10, Baldwin's trial began. Three days later, the court reached a decision. The proceedings against the actor were dismissed. Charges against the actor were dismissed without the possibility of reopening the case due to deliberate and gross negligence by the prosecution. "There is no way for the court to remedy the harm that has occurred," Judge Sommer, quoted by the "New York Times," stated. After the verdict was announced, the visibly moved 66-year-old Alec Baldwin burst into tears in the courtroom.
The main argument for dismissing the case was that the prosecution had concealed information about bullets that were evidence. Baldwin's defence had no opportunity to examine them. The media revealed that the formal dismissal of the case came after a dramatic scene when a package of previously unexamined evidence was brought into the courtroom. Judge Sommer stepped down from the bench to personally examine the delivered evidence.
For several years, Alec Baldwin faced accusations of involuntary manslaughter of Halyna Hutchins. It's no wonder that his emotions ran high in the courtroom, and he cried in front of the cameras. According to TZM.com, that same evening, he celebrated the end of the case with his wife, lawyers, and friends.
The actor was seen at a hotel bar in New Mexico. A person with a camera accompanied the crew. It is said that Baldwin is preparing a documentary about the tragedy on the set of "Rust," but American media indicate that the actor's family is also filming their reality show for TLC - "The Baldwins."
