Alec Baldwin's trial: how and why the murder case of Ukrainian Halyna Hutchins fell apart

On July 12, actor Alec Baldwin was found not guilty in the 2021 manslaughter case of Ukrainian cameraman Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust. The reason was a declassified attempt by prosecutors to hide evidence. As a result, the lawyers filed a motion to permanently close the case and prevent it from being reopened.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in Santa Fe, USA, where the trial took place, dismissed the case against Baldwin "with prejudice", ruling out any re-indictment. According to People, the hidden evidence was the bullets used to shoot Halyna Hutchins.

The biggest mystery in the case was how live ammunition, not blanks, got on the set and into Baldwin's revolver during the shooting. Although it is still unsolved, the gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who handed Baldwin the weapon, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being charged with involuntary manslaughter. Her lawyer, Jason Bowles, said he would fight to have his client's case dismissed using the same method used to find Baldwin not guilty, the World Socialist Web Site reports.

All the evidence pointed to his conviction, but on July 12, before the jury was allowed to enter the courtroom, Baldwin's lawyer, Luke Nickas, asked the judge to dismiss the charges. He argued that the government had violated the so-called Brady rule, which requires "disclosure of material exculpatory information in the government's possession to the defense."

"This is the most important evidence in the case that we have never been given... We had a right to it. This case should be dismissed, your honor," he said.

Prosecutor Kari Morrissey took the stand in her own defense and said she did not consider the ammunition to be evidence. She stated that the bullets have "no evidentiary value".

Legal expert Emily D. Baker explains, "This decision does not say that Baldwin did nothing wrong. What this court's finding says is that the prosecution and law enforcement did something so wrong that the only remedy is not to prosecute Baldwin."

What is known about the case

Cameraman Halyna Hutchins was shot dead on the set of the movie Rust on October 21, 2021. Baldwin was preparing for a scene in which he was supposed to point his revolver at the camera and fire, but the weapon turned out to be loaded, and the bullet hit the Ukrainian woman. Hutchins died after receiving a gunshot wound to the chest. The bullet also hit the director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her. He was injured but survived.

In April 2023, Alec Baldwin was acquitted of manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins. However, it was reported at the time that they could be brought forward again if the investigation provided the necessary evidence. This evidence was found.

After the actor's revolver was examined, the investigation was reopened on the grounds of reckless use of a firearm and disregard for the safety of others. Baldwin faced up to 18 months in prison.

On March 6, 2024, a New Mexico jury found gunman Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty of involuntary manslaughter of the Ukrainian cameraman. On July 12, all charges were dropped against Alec Baldwin, and his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case.

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