Manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin will be dropped, according to a statement from New Mexico special prosecutors overseeing the shooting cases on the set of “Rust” .
Citing “new facts” in the case, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey It is Jason Lewis they said they could not “proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence handed over by law enforcement in its existing form”.
“Therefore, we will reject the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct a further investigation,” the statement continued. “This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and the charges may be re-filed.”
Prosecutors added that their follow-up investigation “will remain active and ongoing.”
The decision to drop the charges against Baldwin is being taken after new evidence came to the attention of investigators indicating that the gun used in the shooting had been modified, a source familiar with the investigation told CNN .
Investigators will examine the weapon to determine the extent of the modifications, which may have affected the weapon’s function, the source said.
Halyna Hutchins, the film’s director of photography, was struck and killed by live ammunition fired from a propelled gun held by Baldwin while rehearsing a scene on the set of “Rust” in 2021. Baldwin pleaded not guilty.
The director Joel Souza was also shot and wounded. Baldwin and the armorer of “Rust ” Hannah Gutierrez Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in January.
The charges against Gutierrez Reed remain unchanged, prosecutors said on Thursday.
A lawyer for Gutierrez Reed has previously said she will plead not guilty.
Prosecutors have already dropped an increased firearm possession charge against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed, reducing a potential five-year prison sentence to a maximum of 18 months.
“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 accident,” they told CNN Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro.
“We fully expect that, at the end of this process, Hannah will also be exonerated,” Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, attorneys for Gutierrez Reed, said in a statement to CNN on Thursday following news that Baldwin’s charges will be dropped.
“The new special team of prosecutors took a very diligent and thorough approach throughout the investigation, which we have and always have received,” their lawyers added.
“They are seeking the truth and so are we. The truth about what happened will be revealed and the questions we have long sought answers to will be answered.”
Thursday’s development comes a month after the special prosecutor in the case, Andrea Reeb resigned, following a motion by Baldwin’s attorney to disqualify Reeb as “unconstitutional” under New Mexico law due to his elected office in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
The Santa Fe District Attorney, Mary Carmack-Altwies also withdrew from the case and named longtime New Mexico attorneys Morrissey and Lewis to serve as special prosecutors.
Earlier this year, Rust’s assistant director, dave halls and prosecutors reached a plea deal “on the charge of negligent use of a lethal weapon.”
At the time, prosecutors said the terms of the deal included six months of probation and a suspended sentence.
A CNN reached out to a Halls attorney for comment.
As part of a wrongful death settlement between Matthew Hutchins , the widower of Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin and the producers of “Rust ”, production on the film resumed. Matthew Hutchins is now serving as an executive producer on the project.
A status hearing in the case is scheduled to take place this Friday, according to the First Judicial District Court.
Source: CNN Brasil
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