The criminal case againstAlec Baldwinover the Oct. 2021 on-set shooting death ofRustcinematographerHalyna Hutchinsis over for the time being.
On Thursday,ABC Newsreported that the criminal charges first brought against Baldwin, 65, in January have been dropped, citing sources.
The actor andRustarmorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were bothpreviously charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors dropped a firearms enhancement charge against both parties in February. Charges against Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday, Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said: “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”
Baldwin was next scheduled to appear in court on May 3. Back in February, the actor entered a not guilty plea in New Mexico’s Santa Fe County First District court and waived his right to to appear in court for his initial hearing in the case.
Alec Baldwin.Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images
“We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going,” according to the statement.
The end of the criminal case against Baldwin comes just over one month after special prosecutor Andrea Reeb announced she hadstepped down from the caseon March 14. Baldwin’s legal team filed a motion on Feb. 7 to disqualify her from the case, claiming her dual role as a special prosecutor and a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives was “unconstitutional,” according to the motion.
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Alec Baldwin on the set ofRust.Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office/ZUMA
Alec Baldwin; Halyna Hutchins.Rachel Luna/WireImage; Mat Hayward/Getty/AMC Networks
Cline isdonating her salary from the productionto charity in Hutchins' name, while a documentary about the late cinematographer’s life and the production ofRustis also in the works, according to a Feb. 14 press release.
Coincidentally, production onRustresumed in Montana this week, according to theAssociated Press.
source: people.com
