Charges against actor and producer Alec Baldwin were dropped on Friday by New Mexico prosecutors. Baldwin was facing charges regarding the incident in 2021 on the set for Rust, were cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died after being shot with a (prop) firearm while filming.
These changes in the prosecution were made after new evidence about the gun Baldwin was holding appeared, according to a person close to the prosecutors. In May, a hearing was held to decide whether there was sufficient evidence to try Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Prosecutors stated in a filing:
“The case is dismissed without prejudice and the investigation is active and ongoing”
Gutierrez-Reed was charged with involuntary manslaughter. She has stated that the situation occurred due to mistakenly loading the gun with real bullets instead of dummies.
Special prosecutors stated that Baldwin may face charges once new evidence is examined, however legal experts doubt this will happen. Ambrosio Rodriguez, a former California prosecutor stated about the case:
“This very weak case against Baldwin should never have been filed in the first place”
Despite all the obstacles the production of the film faced after the fatal accident, the film has recently finished production. The filming resumed last week in Montana; though it was expected to finish in May.
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