Alec Baldwin loses latest appeal to dismiss ‘Rust’ case
![Alec Baldwin loses latest appeal to dismiss ‘Rust’ case](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/a69b410b61bf4c4e9c729cad656279b6-1-e1697569464627.jpg?w=900)
A New Mexico judge denied actor Alec Baldwin’s latest attempt to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge over the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of "Rust," keeping the case on track to go to trial early next month.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sided with prosecutors, rejecting Baldwin's attempt to drop the charge over the firearm evidence, The Associated Press reported.
Baldwin’s defense attorneys argued that the gun responsible for the shooting was damaged during FBI forensic testing, before it could be examined for potential modifications or problems that could help Baldwin’s case.
The judge’s decision clears the way for prosecutors to bring the case to a jury, which is scheduled to begin July 9 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The AP said.
Attorneys plan to call a list of witnesses including Joel Souza, the director of Rust who was also wounded in the shooting, and Dave Halls, the assistant director who pleaded no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon, among others.
Baldwin pointed the gun at Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer, on the set of the film in 2021. The revolver went off, killing her and wounding Souza.
The actor has pleaded not guilty, arguing that he did not pull the trigger on the prop gun, which was erroneously loaded.
The FBI accidentally broke the gun during a test, striking it from different angles with a mallet. Prosecutors will argue the gun was once working properly and could not have fired without the trigger pulled.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie’s armorer, is serving an 18-month sentence after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced in April.
Charges against Baldwin were brought and then dropped last year after prosecutors became aware of new evidence. The prosecution brought forth the charges again last fall.
Hutchins’s family sued Baldwin in civil court last year. He had already settled a suit from her husband.
The film resumed filming in Montana last year and is expected to be released sometime in 2024 or later, Yahoo Entertainment reported.
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The Guardian - World
Judge denies Alec Baldwin’s plea to dismiss case in fatal Rust shooting
The actor is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins, the film’s cinematographer. A judge on Friday denied another request from Alec Baldwin to dismiss the charge against him in the death of cinematographer Halyna ... -
NBC News - Top stories
Judge rejects Alec Baldwin’s motion to dismiss ‘Rust’ shooting case over damaged firearm
A judge on Friday rejected Alec Baldwin’s latest attempt to dismiss his involuntary manslaughter case, allowing the actor’s trial over the fatal shooting of a “Rust” cinematographer to proceed in less than two weeks. -
Los Angeles Times - Entertainment
Judge denies Alec Baldwin's motion to dismiss 'Rust' case, allowing trial to proceed
A New Mexico judge cleared the way for a criminal trial against actor Alex Baldwin for his role in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer during filming of the movie 'Rust.' -
ABC News - Entertainment
Alec Baldwin’s case on track for trial in July as judge denies request to dismiss
The involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin is on track for trial in July after a judge denied a request to dismiss the case on complaints that key evidence was damaged by the FBI during forensic testing -
BBC News - Top stories
Baldwin loses last-ditch bid to dismiss manslaughter case
The judge rejects the actor's latest challenge, meaning the trial will begin on 9 July. -
ABC News - Top stories
Judge denies Alec Baldwin's bid to dismiss 'Rust' charge over firearm evidence
Alec Baldwin's attorneys claimed the state destroyed key evidence -- the firearm in the shooting -- denying them the chance to review potentially exculpatory evidence. -
ABC News - Entertainment
Judge to weigh request to dismiss Alec Baldwin shooting case for damage to evidence during testing
A New Mexico judge plans to rule on a request to dismiss the sole charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer over concerns the FBI damaged the relevant firearm during forensic testing before defense attorneys could ... -
ABC News - Entertainment
Alec Baldwin’s case is on track for trial in July as New Mexico judge denies request to dismiss it over damaged evidence
Alec Baldwin’s case is on track for trial in July as New Mexico judge denies request to dismiss it over damaged evidence -
The Wall Street Journal - World
Judge Denies Another Motion From Alec Baldwin to Dismiss Involuntary Manslaughter Charge
The actor is set to face trial in July on a charge that he shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust.”
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