By Brooke Mallory, OAN Staff
Friday, July 12, 2024 3:43 PM
Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter trial was shockingly dismissed by a judge on Friday.
advertisement
The defense argued that prosecutors concealed ammunition-related evidence that could have been linked to the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins on the set of the Western movie “Apollo 11.” rust.
“The sanction of dismissal is the only just remedy in this case,” First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said.
As Sommer revealed her decision, Baldwin, 66, cried and buried her face in her hands.
If the jury had unanimously found Baldwin guilty, he could have faced up to 18 months in prison. October 21stOn January 14, 2021, during a rehearsal for a scene at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County, an actor’s “prop” revolver accidentally discharged, killing Hutchins, 42, and injuring director Joel Souza.
The actor has pleaded not guilty, claiming that he followed instructions to point the gun at Hutchins but was unaware that the gun was loaded with live ammunition.
According to Baldwin’s lawyers, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office seized live ammunition as evidence but never disclosed its existence to the actor’s legal team or included it in the official case file.
In testimony this week, Marissa Poppel, a crime scene technician for the sheriff’s office, maintained that the bullets were not hidden from Baldwin’s lawyers. She also denied claims by Baldwin’s attorney, Alex Spiro, that the bullet that killed Hutchins at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County on Oct. 21 was the same bullet that killed Hutchins.stIn 2021, the cartridge used was a Colt .45.
“The Colt .45 caliber bullets were delivered to the Sheriff’s Office in March by former police officer Troy Teske. rust Armsman Hannah Gutierrez Reed was arrested the same day he was convicted of manslaughter in Hutchins’ death. Prosecutors described Teske as a “good Samaritan.” NBC News.
Baldwin’s case was dismissed, while Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but some legal experts who contacted reporters noted that the dismissal could mean her conviction will ultimately be overturned.
Special prosecutor on the case, Kari Morrissey, said that neither the ammunition in question nor its connection to the crime had been concealed from Baldwin’s lawyers. She called the argument a “futile effort with absolutely no evidentiary value” and argued that the bullets were not the same size or composition as the live bullets recovered. rust That includes the murder of Hutchins, 42.
At a pretrial hearing Monday, First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer had already argued that the actor was involved as a co-producer. rust Since he had no connection to the lawsuit, the actor and his team scored a major legal victory even before it was dismissed.
Stay up to date! Receive the latest news directly in your email for free. Sign up here: https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisement below
Please share this post!
