Alec Baldwin Cleared in Rust Shooting Case as Prosecutors Drop Manslaughter Appeal

Alec Baldwin is no longer facing charges in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has withdrawn her appeal of a judge’s decision to dismiss involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin, as reported by Variety.

The decision follows a statement from the New Mexico attorney general’s office indicating it would not aggressively pursue the appeal. “Efforts to prosecute Baldwin have been met with multiple barriers that have compromised [our] ability to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Baldwin was accused of recklessness and criminal negligence after firing a Colt .45 during an October 2021 rehearsal that resulted in Hutchins’ death. The charges were dismissed during the trial in July after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer criticized the prosecution for failing to provide key evidence—a cache of bullets—to the defense.

The judge described the oversight as “so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching.” While Morrissey argued the evidence was irrelevant, Baldwin’s lawyers insisted it was vital to his defense, alleging the prosecution deliberately withheld it.

Baldwin’s attorneys, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas welcomed the outcome. “Today’s decision…is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning—this was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime,” they said in a statement.

However, Hutchins’ family in Ukraine opposed the decision to drop the appeal and is continuing a civil lawsuit against Baldwin and Rust producers in New Mexico.

“This has always been about seeking justice for Halyna Hutchins,” said Morrissey, expressing regret that Baldwin would not face criminal accountability. “We hope the outstanding lawsuits bring some measure of justice to her family.”

While Baldwin’s charges have been dropped, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and is serving an 18-month sentence.

Hutchins’ death has brought increased scrutiny to on-set safety protocols, particularly regarding the use of live ammunition in filmmaking. In her memory, the Halyna Hutchins Foundation continues to advocate for stronger safety measures in the film industry.