Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case was abruptly thrown out in a stunning development Friday — as a New Mexico judge slammed prosecutors for withholding critical evidence from the defense.
Baldwin, 66, sobbed in Santa Fe court as the charges — stemming from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” — were suddenly tossed. He emotionally embraced his wife Hilaria Baldwin, who was also crying.
Following a full day of hearing outside of the jury’s presence, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said “the sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy” and ruled that the charges could not be filed again.
The shock ruling came on the third of trial in the involuntary manslaughter case in which Baldwin — who’s in the midst of shooting a reality TV show focused on his brood — faced a maximum of 18 months behind bars.
The judge sent the jury home early Friday after lawyers for the “30 Rock” star filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming that live ammunition related to Hutchins’ 2021 shooting was “concealed” from them.
“The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide this evidence to the defendant,” Sommer said in court. “The state’s willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate. If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith it certainly does come so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice.”
The allegation prompted a marathon hearing where Sommer heard from several witnesses and that was capped off with prosecutor Kari Morrissey taking the witness stand herself.
“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was slated to testify Friday before the judge paused proceedings.
Hutchins died in October 2021 after Baldwin fired off a live round while rehearsing on the set of the Western at the Bonanza Creek Ranch. Director Joel Souza was also wounded. The “Beetlejuice” star has maintained that he didn’t “intentionally” squeeze the trigger.
Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, filed a wrongful death suit — which was settled last year. Shortly after, production of “Rust,” which had been paused, resumed with Matthew Hutchins named as executive producer of the film.
Production of the Western wrapped in May 2023.