A New Mexico judge tossed out the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin who killed a woman in a tragic 2021 movie set accident, a big win for the hotheaded actor albeit one that doesn’t come without criticism.
On Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the charge with prejudice, meaning that the actor can’t be charged again, ruling that the prosecution concealed evidence from Baldwin’s legal team.
The 66-year-old “Beetlejuice” star broke down weeping in the Santa Fe courtroom as the judge spared him from spending time from behind bars for the October 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” who was struck by a live bullet after Baldwin fired a prop gun in her direction.
WATCH: Alec Baldwin sobs, breaks down as judge tosses out ‘Rust’ involuntary manslaughter case in shocking twist. The actor is seen hugging his wife Hilaria, who is also in tears. pic.twitter.com/LvOq3f8FRn
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 13, 2024
“The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” the judge said. “If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching.”
Baldwin could have faced 18 months in prison if convicted and while the actor, his family, and his fans celebrated, users on X reacted, with some expressing the opinion that justice had been cheated and that the ruling only further proves that America now has a two-tiered legal system.
There’s two different justice systems. Alec Baldwin just got his case dismissed despite him shooting and killing his cinematographer.
Prosecutors can’t retry the case. The Judge gave Alec what he wanted. None of us would get the same treatment. Never forget that. pic.twitter.com/UehU4KydPU
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) July 12, 2024
Alec Baldwin shot a woman dead and gets to walk away at the same time they’re trying to put Trump in prison for a hundred years because they don’t like how he does paperwork. https://t.co/qFVD0HAbvG
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) July 12, 2024
Alex Jones fined $1.5 billion for his words, while Alec Baldwin, who shot and killed someone, gets charges dismissed. pic.twitter.com/9oqQqeJIXo
— Adan Salazar (@AdanSalazarWins) July 12, 2024
Two tiered justice system. They’re all in a club and we aren’t part of it. This is privilege.
— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) July 12, 2024
Wow! He escaped on a procedural issue!!
— Dr. Steve Turley (@DrTurleyTalks) July 12, 2024
If that’s any of us we’d be locked up regardless of what the prosecution did
— Washingtons ghost (@hartgoat) July 12, 2024
The armorer got 18 months.
The wealthy celeb that fired the shot gets nothing.
The justice system at work.
— James Williams (@JamesWill932) July 12, 2024
It Pays to be a rich and famous liberal.
— Cash Loren (@CashLorenShow) July 12, 2024
We got our OJ for the new millennium.
— SaltyGoat (@SaltyGoat17) July 12, 2024
“Our goal from the beginning was to seek justice for Halyna Hutchins,” said DA Mary Carmack-Altwies in a statement. “We are disappointed that the case did not get to the jury.”
- Tapper drips new details on mumbling and ‘incoherent’ Joe; how staff had to hide him - May 15, 2025
- Noem testifies that habeas corpus could be suspended for deportations after Biden allowed invasion - May 15, 2025
- Tucker rips ex-colleague Mark Levin over his Trump admin smear: ‘We’ve reached peak crazy’ - May 14, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.