SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) - The trial against Alec Baldwin for involuntary manslaughter abruptly ended this Friday, when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided to dismiss the case definitively, preventing it from being brought again in the future. This surprising outcome was based on the “misconduct” attributed to the police and prosecutors for withholding crucial evidence for the actor’s defense.
Marlowe Sommer explained that the decision was made due to the withholding of evidence in the case of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died after being shot on the set of the movie "Rust." The judge emphasized that "the late discovery of this evidence during the trial has prevented its effective use in such a way that has impacted the fundamental fairness of the process."
He added that, although this behavior did not fully reach the level of bad faith, it certainly came dangerously close.
How did Alec Baldwin react when he heard the judge?
The verdict provoked an emotional reaction in Baldwin, who cried and hugged his two lawyers, before gesturing towards the court and then turning to hug his wife Hilaria, who was also crying. This hug lasted for 12 seconds. Subsequently, Baldwin left the Santa Fe courthouse without making any statements to the press and got into a waiting van outside.
Baldwin avoids a prison sentence
Alec Baldwin, 66, was facing a possible 18-month prison sentence if he had been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The dismissal of the case avoids this potential sentence, allowing the actor to avoid jail time.
In mid-April, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the head armorer for the movie ‘Rust’, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the death of the director of photography Halyna Hutchins. At that time, prosecutors argued that the combination of Gutierrez-Reed’s inexperience and Baldwin’s lack of concern for safety resulted in the tragedy.