Alec Baldwin Rust Manslaughter Case Dismissed After Judge Rules Prosecutors Withheld Key Evidence

The involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin stemming from a fatal shooting incident on the set of the film Rust has been dismissed after the judge ruled that prosecutors withheld key evidence from Baldwin’s defense team.

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The decision came down Friday, after Baldwin’s trial initially got underway on July 10. Had Baldwin been found guilty, he would have faced up to 18 months in prison.

On Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sent the jury home to consider a defense motion to dismiss the case because they claimed prosecutors failed to turn over a batch of bullets to them. Sommer held a hearing and questioned the prosectors as to why they didn’t share the evidence with the defense, ultimately deciding to throw out the case. “The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide discovery to the defendant,” Sommer said . “Dismissal with prejudice is warranted.”

Update : On Saturday, Baldwin acknowledged the outcome of the case on Instagram, writing: “There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.”

The Rust imbroglio began in October 2021, when, during rehearsal for a scene in the Western film, the prop gun Baldwin was holding went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained, ever since the incident occurred, that he did not pull the trigger on the gun, and he pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge brought against him in January of this year. (He was first charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, but the charge was ultimately dismissed; he was then indicted and charged anew at the start of this year, following further analysis of the firearm.)

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Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who served as armorer on Rust ‘s set, was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the incident, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Rust ultimately resumed production in April 2023 — after the initial charges against Baldwin had been dropped — and wrapped the following month, though there’s been no word about plans for the film’s release.

“Last day of filming Rust in Montana,” Baldwin wrote in an Instagram post when production concluded. “It’s been a long and difficult road. But we reach the end of the trail today. Congratulations to Joel, [new cinematographer] Bianca [Cline] and the entire cast and crew. Nothing less than a miracle.”

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