Charges against actor Alec Baldwin related to fatal shooting on film set Rust they have been withdrawn.
Baldwin was charged with manslaughter after holding and firing the gun that fatally wounded cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
the star of It’s Complicatedwho has pleaded not guilty, was rehearsing a crusader draw when the gun fired, wounding director Joel Souza and killing Hutchins.
It was a radical turn after the prosecutors who originally handled the case filed charges against him, including one carrying five years in prison.
The special prosecutor in charge of the case resigned after her appointment was challenged on legal grounds; and the district attorney responsible for the case, Mary Carmack-Altwies, stepped back and appointed two new special prosecutors to lead it.
The decision came after new prosecutors reviewed new evidence showing that the gun the actor was practicing with had been modified before it was delivered to the set. This undermined the prosecution’s original argument that he could not have shot himself unless Baldwin had pulled the trigger, the official said.
Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, said in a statement: “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 accident.”
New Mexico prosecutors did not immediately respond when asked for comment on the case.
The accident shocked Hollywood and led to calls for a complete ban on real guns on set.
Industry experts have said strict safety rules already exist, but they were ignored.
Dave Halls, the film’s security coordinator and assistant director who gave Baldwin the loaded gun, settled with prosecutors and was sentenced last month to six months probation.
