All criminal charges against Alec Baldwin have been dropped, his attorneys say, weeks before the trial over the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was set to begin.
Paperwork to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin is expected to be filed soon by newly appointed special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, per reports.
Law enforcement will continue to investigate how the events of the tragic October 2021 day unfolded, meaning that the case could be reopened in future.
“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement per Deadline.
The Independent has contacted Baldwin’s representatives and the Santa Fe District Attorney for further comment.
Baldwin’s co-defendant and ex-Rust armourer Hannah Guiterrez-Reed, is still facing criminal charges as of now. The two have previously pleaded not guilty.
The trial was scheduled to begin on 3 May in Santa Fe, a year and a half after Hutchins was killed by a live round fired from a prop gun held by Baldwin on the set of the Western movie.
The sudden developments come a week after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer had granted Baldwin permission to skip the preliminary hearing.
While Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies stepped down from the case in late March, following Judge Sommer’s orders.
Baldwin’s attorney had previously called for Carmack-Altwies to be disqualified from the case, claiming she was too distracted by her role as a state legislator.
This is a developing story
