A New Mexico Judge has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin. Baldwin had been accused after a fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust,” which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The case was dismissed with prejudice By Judge Mary Marlow Summer, meaning it cannot be reopened. Baldwin was visibly emotional in court.

Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case.pic.twitter.com/WbIxVmiwqY

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The dismissal came after new evidence was presented in court. Judge Summer, wearing blue latex gloves, opened a manila envelope and examined the ammunition inside. This evidence had not been previously disclosed by the prosecution, leading Baldwin’s lawyers to seek a dismissal.

The ammunition was traced back to Troy Teske, a friend of Thell Reed, who is the stepfather of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Gutierrez-Reed was the armorer on the “Rust” set and is currently serving an 18-month sentence for her role in handling the gun that discharged a live round, resulting in Hutchins’ death when Baldwin fired it.

Baldwin, 66, was accused of shooting 42-year-old Hutchins in 2021 on the set of “Rust.” Hutchins was behind the camera when Baldwin aimed the gun at the lens and fired, unaware it contained a live round. The armorer had previously testified that there was no live ammunition on set. Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of mishandling the gun and is serving an 18-month prison sentence. Baldwin has claimed that he did not pull the trigger.

Teske had provided the ammunition to the Santa Fe County Sheriff at the time of the shooting, asserting it was related to the case. However, the crime scene technician recorded it under a different case number. Prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey reviewed a photo of the ammunition but determined it was not relevant and did not match the ammunition used on set.

In March, Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for failing to follow proper gun safety protocols, resulting in Hutchins’ death. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours, concluding that her negligence repeatedly endangered lives and that she had brought live ammunition to the set.