Alec Baldwin Breaks Down in Tears as ‘Rust’ Manslaughter Case Is Dismissed

On the third day of trial, Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case came to an unexpected end.

New Mexico Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice on Friday, July 12, due to misconduct by prosecutors, who were found to have withheld evidence about ammunition from the defense, according to the  Associated Press.

“The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide discovery to the defendant,” Marlowe Sommer said. “Dismissal with prejudice is warranted.”

Related: ‘Rust’ Armorer Sobs as She’s Sentenced to 18 Months for Fatal On-Set Shooting

Video streamed by Court TV captured the emotional moment when Judge Sommer announced, “Your motion to dismiss with prejudice is granted.” The judge’s ruling means Baldwin cannot be tried again on the manslaughter count.

Baldwin immediately broke down in tears, hugged his attorneys, and then turned to embrace his wife, Hilaria.

While speaking with reporters outside the courthouse, lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey said she disagrees with the court’s decision.

“I’m disappointed, because I believe that the importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys,” Morrissey said. “We did everything humanly possible to bring justice to Halyna and to her family, and we’re proud of the work that we did.”

The judge’s decision followed a day of motion hearings.

Baldwin, 66, faced the possibility of serving up to 18 months in prison if convicted for the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust.

Hutchins was killed on Oct. 21, 2021, when a bullet discharged from a prop gun held by Baldwin on the New Mexico set of the Western film. The bullet also struck and injured director Joel Souza.

Initial charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023 after his lawyers raised concerns about the case’s handling. However, the case was revived in January this year, leading to Baldwin’s indictment by a New Mexico grand jury.

Baldwin, who is also a producer on the film, has consistently maintained that he was told the gun was “cold,” indicating it had no live rounds inside.

In April, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 26, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Prosecutors argued Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for the live bullet that killed Hutchins and that she failed to follow safety protocols intended to protect the crew while handling firearms.

In May 2023, Alec Baldwin posted on his Instagram account that filming for Rust had wrapped up. Production resumed more than a year after the shooting incident halted the project.

There is no word on where or when the film will be released.