In a significant development, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey announced on Monday the withdrawal of her appeal in the Alec Baldwin involuntary manslaughter case. The decision follows the New Mexico attorney general’s office’s indication that it would not pursue the appeal aggressively.
The case stemmed from the tragic October 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot during the filming of Rust. Baldwin, who discharged the firearm while preparing for a scene, was accused of being reckless and criminally negligent.
During the trial in July, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case on its third day, citing the prosecution’s failure to turn over critical evidence—a cache of bullets—to the defense. The judge criticized Morrissey’s case management, describing it as “so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching.”
Baldwin’s legal team argued that the withheld evidence could have supported his defense, while Morrissey maintained that the evidence was irrelevant and accused the defense of misleading the court. However, without the attorney general’s full support, Morrissey stated that the prosecution’s ability to proceed was compromised.
In response to the appeal’s dismissal, Baldwin’s attorneys, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas, expressed relief, calling the decision a vindication. “This was an unspeakable tragedy, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime,” they said.
Hutchins’ family in Ukraine opposed the withdrawal but is continuing to pursue a civil case against Baldwin and the film’s producers. The family also established the Halyna Hutchins Foundation to advocate for film set safety protocols.
Morrissey, who secured a guilty verdict against the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, lamented the outcome. “We regret that Mr. Baldwin will not be held accountable for the role he played in Halyna Hutchins’ death,” she stated, expressing hope that the civil lawsuits will bring some justice to Hutchins’ family.
Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies commended Morrissey’s efforts and acknowledged the ongoing debate over accountability in the Rust tragedy. “Halyna’s tragic death has prompted industry-wide scrutiny of safety protocols, especially regarding firearms and live ammunition on set,” she said.
Gutierrez Reed is currently serving an 18-month sentence for involuntary manslaughter. Meanwhile, the dismissal of charges against Baldwin continues to stir discussions about justice and safety in the film industry.
Credit: Variety
