Alec Baldwin’s legal team has requested the dismissal of his Rust manslaughter case, accusing New Mexico prosecutors of numerous violations and unfair tactics in pursuing charges against the actor.
Baldwin, 65, was indicted in January 2024 for involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in October 2021. Baldwin allegedly discharged a gun he believed to be empty, striking Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
In their motion to dismiss, Baldwin’s lawyers allege that prosecutors leaked information to the press and failed to disclose key details, including the initiation of the criminal case in January 2023. They also claim that the state violated legal clauses by charging Baldwin with a firearm enhancement that was not in effect at the time of the incident.
The lawyers further argue that prosecutors did not present exculpatory evidence or allow witnesses who could support Baldwin’s innocence to testify before the grand jury. They accuse the prosecution of unfairly targeting Baldwin and disregarding the truth.
“This is an abuse of the system,” Baldwin’s lawyers stated, “and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme. The Court should dismiss the indictment.”
Baldwin pleaded not guilty in January and is scheduled to stand trial in July. His armor, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this month.
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