Alec Baldwin Sobs in Court as ‘Rust’ Manslaughter Case Is Dismissed

A judge has dismissed Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case in the 2021 Rust shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. On Friday, July 12, during the third day of Baldwin’s manslaughter trial, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced her decision to honor the defense’s request to dismiss the case. The defense argued the case should be dismissed due to the “concealed” ammunition evidence.

“There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” Judge Sommer stated, according to NBC. “The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy.”

With Sommer’s dismissal being with prejudice, the involuntary manslaughter charge cannot be refiled against Baldwin. The actor had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the ruling, Baldwin was seen weeping in the courtroom and later hugging his wife, Hilaria Baldwin. The actor was facing 18 months in prison had he been convicted.

Hutchins tragically lost her life in 2021 when Baldwin’s prop revolver discharged a live round during the filming of Rust.

In response to the dismissal, several people involved in the case shared their thoughts. Troy Teske, who delivered the Colt .45 rounds to the sheriff’s office in March and is a former police officer, reacted positively to Baldwin’s outcome. Teske is connected to the case through Thell Reed, the stepfather of Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison for bringing the bullets to the set, leading to Hutchins’ death.

Thell Reed expressed his relief at Baldwin’s dismissal to The Daily Mail, saying, “Well, I think that’s good,” and suggested that his daughter’s case should also be dismissed.

“I think Hannah’s case should also be dismissed,” he added.

Jason Bowles, attorney for Gutierrez-Reed, also shared his thoughts on Baldwin’s case being dismissed and remains hopeful for Hannah’s case.

“Absolutely shocking the pattern of government misconduct in this case and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s case,” Bowles said. “We will be moving for her immediate release.”

Before the ruling, Erlinda Ocampo Johnson resigned from the Rust case. She spoke about the evidence being withheld from the defense.

“I don’t think it was intentional. I really do not believe that,” Ocampo Johnson commented. “I think it was just something that — it wasn’t turned over, and it should have been.”

“I believed that the right decision would have been a dismissal,” Ocampo Johnson told NBC.

Alec Baldwin has not made any public statements following the dismissal of the case on Friday.