Alec Baldwin Thanks Supporters in First Comments After Trial Ends Early

Alec Baldwin expressed gratitude to his supporters on Saturday, following the unexpected conclusion of his involuntary manslaughter trial. He shared his thoughts in an emotional Instagram post featuring a photo of him in a courtroom in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now,” Baldwin wrote. “To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.”

The abrupt end to the trial came with a wave of emotions for the actor, who was seen in tears when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided to dismiss the case. This decision came three days into the trial and concluded that Baldwin would not face criminal charges in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin and his legal team left the courthouse in silence, avoiding comments to the press.

The pivotal piece of evidence that led to the dismissal was ammunition introduced to the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office in March. A man claimed the ammunition might be connected to Hutchins’ shooting, but prosecutors considered it irrelevant. Baldwin’s lawyers accused them of hiding crucial evidence and subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the case. The judge ruled that withholding this evidence compromised the trial’s “fundamental fairness,” saving Baldwin from a potential 18-month prison sentence if convicted.

Source: Associated Press