Prosecutor in ‘Rust’ case urges judge to review dismissal of Alec Baldwin’s charges

New Mexico prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey is asking the judge to reconsider dismissing criminal charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust” in 2021. Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the trial was dismissed on its third day due to suppressed evidence involving live ammunition that had been mishandled by the prosecution. The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also charged and found guilty. Morrissey insists that there was no intentional cover-up and that the mishandling of the ammunition was not relevant to the charges against Baldwin. Despite this, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. Co-prosecutor Erlinda O. Johnson resigned in the aftermath, stating that she did not believe the suppression of evidence was intentional. Morrissey’s latest court filing argues that mistakes were made, but it does not indicate intentional wrongdoing or a cover-up by the prosecution. The request for reconsideration comes in light of the judge’s previous decision, with Morrissey emphasizing that the mishandling of evidence does not change the charges against Baldwin. The case has sparked controversy and debate over the handling of evidence and the responsibility of prosecutors in high-profile trials.

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