Alec Baldwin will not face two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the October 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust,” lawyers announced on Thursday, but according to special prosecutors in the case, the dropped charges do “not absolve” the actor of “criminal culpability.”
News that the criminal charges against the often acrimonious, always arrogant star of “The Hunt for Red October” were dropped “pleased” Baldwin’s lawyers and set social media on fire.
(Video: YouTube)
“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident,” Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement to Fox News Digital (FND).
The statement was later clarified by the special prosecutors, Jason Lewis and Kari Morrissey, in a statement sent to FND.
While the decision to drop the charges is pending “further investigation,” Baldwin may not yet be in the clear.
“Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander ‘Alec’ Rae Baldwin, III,” the prosecutors said. “Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form.”
In light of the new facts, the special prosecutors said they “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,” the statement stressed. “Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.”
Baldwin was accused of negligently firing the Colt .45 he was handed during a set-up for a scene, but the actor has insisted he didn’t pull the trigger and didn’t know the gun could have been loaded with a live round.
According to a Variety source familiar with the matter, the new evidence “indicated that the Colt .45 had been modified prior to the shooting, making it more difficult for the D.A. to prove that Baldwin actually did pull the trigger.”
Baldwin responded to the news with an Instagram tribute to his wife of 11 years, Hilaria Baldwin.
“I owe everything I have to this woman,” he wrote, adding, “(and to you, Luke),” presumably referring to Nikas.
Hilaria posted her own photo, one of her curled up on Baldwin’s lap, accompanied by a simple heart emoji.
But on Twitter, few are feeling quite as warm and fuzzy about the news.
“I remember when @AlecBaldwin accused me of ‘stepping over dead bodies,'” tweeted conservative radio host Dana Loesch. “Meanwhile he’s the one who actually shot and killed a woman and gets the charges dropped against him because he’s a Hollywood celebrity.”
“Alec Baldwin has killed more people than any member of any gun rights org,” she added.
“Alec Baldwin shot and killed a woman: Charges dropped,” wrote Rogan O’Handley from his popular “DC Draino” Twitter account. “Trump’s accounting entries: 37 Felonies. This is America.”
And Candace Owens called the decision “positively criminal.”
“Alec Baldwin having all charges dropped against him is positively criminal,” she stated. “He quite literally shot and killed someone on the set of his own movie and he will never have to face charges. Unbelievable privilege that only a wealthy, connected democrat could experience.”
Alec Baldwin has killed more people than any member of any gun rights org.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) April 20, 2023
Alec Baldwin shot and killed a woman:
Charges dropped
Trump’s accounting entries:
37 Felonies
This is America
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 20, 2023
Alec Baldwin having all charges dropped against him is positively criminal.
He quite literally shot and killed someone on the set of his own movie and he will never have to face charges.
Unbelievable privilege that only a wealthy, connected democrat could experience.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 20, 2023
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Baldwin went back to work in Montana on the set of “Rust,” FND reports.
“The production will continue to utilize union crew members and will bar any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition,” Melina Spadone, attorney for Rust Movie Productions, told the outlet in a statement. “Live ammunition is — and always was — prohibited on set.”
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Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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