After a media circus and conflicting stories, Alec Baldwin will come out on fire after the gunfire that killed a New Mexico cinematographer from his movie Rust.
The actor, 65, found out Thursday that two counts of manslaughter against him in connection with the October 2021 killing of Helena Hutchins have been dropped.
News arrived the same day that Baldwin and the other members had resumed filming in Montana.
Production came to an abrupt halt in October 2021 when Baldwin fired a live round from a prop gun that killed cinematographer Halena Hutchins on the film’s New Mexico set.
“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident,” attorneys Luke Nicas and Alex Spiro said in a statement.
After a media circus and conflicting stories, Alec Baldwin will come out on fire after the gunfire that killed a New Mexico cinematographer from his movie Rust.
Baldwin, 65, was charged in January with two counts of manslaughter in connection with the death of Hutchins and the wounding of “Rust” director Joel Sousa, who was hit by the same bullet that passed Hutchins.
The case against Baldwin was already winding down. A weapons charge that would have meant a much longer sentence had already been dismissed, and the first special prosecutor appointed to the case had resigned.
This is despite the damning report from the FBI concluding that Alec Baldwin did indeed pull the trigger of the gun that killed the cinematographer on the set of Rust – even though he has repeatedly stated that he didn’t.
The report could still lead to criminal charges against the actor and others involved in the accidental shooting, with Santa Fe police still investigating Hutchin’s death.
New Mexico prosecutors have faced legal missteps since they filed charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed in January. The most serious charges against the defendants were dropped in February, and two prosecutors resigned from their posts.
Prosecutors are expected to drop charges against Baldwin in a court hearing as soon as Thursday, said the source, who is familiar with conversations between Baldwin’s defense attorneys and special prosecutors.
New evidence showed that the firearm Baldwin used was modified, the source said, and prosecutors can no longer prove that it required a trigger pull in order to fire.
The two sides were discussing the charges ahead of the May 3 hearing, when a New Mexico judge was scheduled to decide whether Baldwin should be prosecuted.
The actor, 65, found out Thursday that two counts of manslaughter have been dropped against him in the October 2021 murder of Helena Hutchins (pictured)
News arrived the same day that Baldwin and the other members had resumed filming in Montana
Baldwin was accused of showing “reckless” disregard for safety in Hutchins’ death. He pleaded not guilty in February after prosecutors downgraded the seriousness of the charges, reducing his potential jail time.
He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger.
After a scathing safety review by New Mexico regulators detailing ignored complaints and missteps prior to Hutchins’ death in October of 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine.
Baldwin co-defendant Hannah Gutierrez Reid and Rust gun maker still face charges.
It was not immediately clear if the charges could be reinstated or if the charge against Gutierrez Reed would also be dropped.
Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys said they “fully expect at the end of this process that Hana will also be acquitted.”
This will keep the investigation into the incident open and allow prosecutors to retain subpoena power moving forward.
This comes just days after it was announced that the list of witnesses will be submitted for the preliminary hearing on May 3.
That includes Mamie Mitchell, Rust’s former script supervisor — who is suing Baldwin and his fellow producers in one of the many suits brought against them.
Camera crews were there to capture the tender moment Alec kissed his wife and child on Wednesday
Despite the controversy, a spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions on Tuesday told CNN that filming will continue at Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana.
Baldwin is seen standing next to Hutchins – mother of one – on the set of Rust in October 2021
However, it is believed that the hearing will not go forward, as prosecutors consider the circumstances of the incident again.
It comes on the heels of Mary Carmack Altois, the Santa Fe District Attorney, stepping down from the case late last month.
Baldwin has not yet traveled to New Mexico to appear in court, nor has he been required to do anything under state law. Evidence hearings had been scheduled for next month to determine whether a trial should go ahead.
Santa Fe County Attorney Mary Carmack Altoys said earlier that her office is seeking justice for Hutchins’ death and wants to show that no one is above the law when it comes to firearms and public safety. She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographer’s death was both tragic and preventable.
Their spokeswoman, Heather Brewer, said the two special prosecutors handling the case in New Mexico’s 1st District had no comment.
