Criminal Charges on Alec Baldwin to Be Dropped

All criminal charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting that killed one crew member will be dropped.

The shooting took place on October 21, 2021, when a live round was discharged from a prop gun handled by Baldwin, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury to director Joel Souza.

The investigation into the case lasted for over a year and will now lead to the dropping of the charges against Baldwin.

All charges against Baldwin will finally be dropped after 1 year of troubles. Deadline states that special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis are planning to file papers to dismiss the manslaughter charges against Baldwin.

The dismissal will be without prejudice, which means that the case against Baldwin could be reopened as the investigation into the Rust shooting continues.

However, the charges against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed still stand. Separate statements were issued by Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, and Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers, Jason Bowles and Todd Bulllion:

We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin, and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.

The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation, which we welcome and have always welcomed. They are seeking the truth and we are also. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered. We fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated.

We also have a statement from the prosecutors:

Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander “Alec” Rae Baldwin, III. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.

Baldwin claimed he never fired the prop gun that killed Hutchins in the shooting. The FBI report contradicted him, saying the gun could only go off if the trigger was pressed.

But later, they found out the gun might have been tampered with. That’s why they are looking into the shooting again, and why they dropped the charges against Baldwin for now.

However, they can still charge him again later if they find more evidence.

This news comes right before the start of Rust’s filming with Baldwin and Souza, almost 18 months after the tragic accident.

It’s just a coincidence that the charges against Baldwin are dropped right before filming resumes, but it’s very strange. The case was supposed to have a preliminary hearing on May 3, but that might change now given Baldwin is off the hook for now. 

This case has given rise to many petitions urging the government to ban the use of live weapons in films.

About Rust

Rust is a currently-suspended American movie written and directed by Joel Souza.

The movie is set in the 1880s and revolves around two “fugitives,” Harland Rust and his teenage grandson Lucas. Rust rescues Lucas from a death sentence for an accidental murder. The duo then run for their lives from a U.S. Marshall and a bounty hunter. 

Rust has been on an indefinite hiatus after a prop firearm accident killed the Head of Photography Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Souza. It stars Alec Baldwin, Jensen Ackles, Travis Fimmel, and Frances Fisher.