July 13th, 2024 Sante Fe, NM – The high-profile involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin has been dismissed, marking a significant turn in the legal saga surrounding the tragic shooting on the set of the film “Rust.” The judge delivered a scathing critique of the prosecution’s conduct, accusing them of intentionally withholding evidence from the defense.
On Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer criticized the prosecution and state law enforcement officials, stating, “If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice.” Her decision to end the case without allowing the prosecutors to revive it was the culmination of a dramatic day at the Santa Fe County Courthouse.
Lead prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey took the unusual step of testifying in her defense regarding her management of a batch of live rounds connected to the “Rust” shooting, which had been brought to the local sheriff’s office in March. The live ammunition, supposed to be banned from the set, resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021. The defense argued that the origin of the live rounds was a more critical question than Baldwin’s handling of the gun.
Despite Morrissey’s assertion that the ammunition was unrelated to the incident, Judge Sommer ruled that the suppression of this evidence compromised the defense’s ability to contest the case. Morrissey expressed her respect for the judge’s ruling but maintained her belief that the evidence’s importance was overstated by the defense.
This ruling follows a series of complications in Baldwin’s legal journey. The initial manslaughter charge, which carried significant jail time, was downgraded after it was revealed to be filed under a non-existent law at the time of the shooting. The charge was eventually dropped altogether as forensic evidence regarding the gun was considered.
Furthermore, Baldwin’s defense had previously challenged the involvement of Andrea Reeb, the original special prosecutor, who was simultaneously serving as a state legislator, claiming it violated the State Constitution. Reeb’s eventual resignation and the appointment of a new prosecution team led by Morrissey did little to stabilize the case.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Baldwin’s lawyers have consistently criticized the state’s handling of the case. Their efforts to have the case dismissed included accusations of improper grand jury presentations and mishandling of evidence, such as the breaking of internal components during FBI testing.
The dismissal of the case brought an emotional response from Baldwin, who faced up to 18 months in prison. He was seen weeping and embracing his wife, Hilaria, as they left the courtroom. Baldwin’s career and personal life have been significantly affected since the shooting, with numerous job opportunities lost and his Hamptons estate put up for sale. He recently announced plans to star in a reality show on TLC with his wife and their seven children.
The ammunition at the center of Friday’s hearing was brought to light by Troy Teske, a retired police officer and friend of the “Rust” armorer’s stepfather. Teske, who was on the defense witness list but never testified, presented rounds he believed to be related to the “Rust” case to the sheriff’s office in March. Despite Morrissey’s initial dismissal of their relevance, a courtroom examination revealed that three of the rounds resembled those found on the set after the shooting.
Morrissey’s appearance on the witness stand opened her to intense questioning from Baldwin’s defense team, who accused her of having a personal vendetta against the actor. Morrissey denied any bias, stating her appreciation for Baldwin’s work and politics.
The case’s dismissal has sparked discussions about prosecutorial conduct and the responsibilities owed to defendants. Erlinda O. Johnson, another special prosecutor who resigned earlier on Friday, emphasized the need for the prosecution to be beyond reproach, underscoring the ethical duty owed to both the public and the accused.
Alec Baldwin’s ordeal may have reached a legal conclusion, but the fallout from the “Rust” shooting and the subsequent legal battle will likely continue to reverberate in the film industry and beyond.
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