New Mexico prosecutors confirmed that Alec Baldwins criminal charges for the 2021 shooting that resulted in his death on the set of his Western film “Rust” would be dropped. Baldwin was practicing a scene when he accidentally fired a gun, wounding director Joel Souza and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a statement that “new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis” and that the involuntary manslaughter charges would be dropped.The special prosecutors stated that those brand-new details were discovered “in the last few days” while preparing for a preliminary hearing that was scheduled for May 3. The statement read, “We therefore will be dismissing the charges of involuntary manslaughter against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation.” In light of the outcomes of their investigation, the prosecutors mentioned that the charges might be reintroduced at a later time.The new evidences nature was not specified. The involuntary manslaughter charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, “remain unchanged,” according to the statement.Earlier in the day, Baldwins attorneys had stated that their client would not face any charges. In a statement to CBS News, Baldwins attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said, “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”Deadline.com, a site that covers entertainment news, was the first to report the news.In January, charges of involuntary manslaughter were brought against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed. A firearm enhancement that would have required each of them to serve a mandatory five-year sentence if convicted was dropped by prosecutors in February.Jessica Levinson, a legal contributor for CBS News, mentioned that at the end of March, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies appointed two new special prosecutors to take over the case.Levinson stated, “We have to basically surmise that they didnt think they could prove this to a juror beyond a reasonable doubt.”Baldwin has long denied threatening to use the weapons trigger, yet examiners said the weapon couldnt discharge except if the trigger was squeezed.Levinson noticed that a potential new hypothesis of the case could zero in more on Gutierrez-Reed.According to Levinson, “if its her fault, if she was the one who engaged in criminal conduct, then it does make sense, based on a theory of the case, to say, well, he could have trusted her.”Jason Bowles, one of Gutierrez-Reeds attorneys, told CBS News on Thursday that, despite the fact that the charges against her have not been dropped, he anticipates that she will be cleared.In a statement, Bowles and attorney Todd Bullion said, “The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation, which we welcome and have always welcomed.” They and we are both looking for the truth. Reality with regards to what happened will emerge and the inquiries that we have long looked for deals with serious consequences regarding will be replied. At the conclusion of this procedure, we have every confidence that Hannah will also be cleared.”
