Alec Baldwin’s Involuntary Manslaughter Indictment Under Scrutiny as Judge Questions Prosecution’s Handling of Case
A judge in New Mexico is set to rule next week on whether to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter indictment against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” The decision comes after a hearing on Friday where the lead prosecutor, Kari T. Morrissey, faced tough questioning from the judge regarding her handling of the grand jury proceedings.
Baldwin, who was rehearsing with a revolver on set in 2021 when it fired a live bullet, killing Hutchins, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. His defense team has raised concerns about the prosecution’s handling of the case, accusing them of not presenting evidence that could have supported Baldwin’s innocence.
During the hearing, Baldwin’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued that the indictment was unfair and impartial, pointing fingers at the movie’s weapons specialist, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and the first assistant director, Dave Halls, for their roles in the tragic incident. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to prison, while Halls took a plea deal for failing to properly inspect the gun.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer closely questioned Morrissey about the defense’s complaints, particularly focusing on a moment during the grand jury proceedings when a detective was asked about the responsibility of checking the gun. The judge expressed concern that the prosecutor had steered the grand jurors away from certain witnesses.
Morrissey defended her handling of the case, stating that she had followed the law in presenting the evidence to the grand jury. She emphasized that actors, including Baldwin, have a responsibility for gun safety on set, despite the defense’s claims to the contrary.
The hearing grew tense at times, with Morrissey and Baldwin’s lawyers clashing over the handling of the case. The judge ultimately will decide whether the indictment against Baldwin will be dismissed, based on the arguments presented in court.
As the legal battle continues, the film industry remains under scrutiny for its safety protocols on set, particularly regarding the handling of firearms. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how such incidents are handled in the future.
