Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case

A judge dismissed actor Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case after a motion from the actor's defense team Friday afternoon. Baldwin faced charges for the 2021 accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while on the set of his film "Rust." CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson, entertainment attorney Tre Lovell and CBS News correspondent Elise Preston join to unpack the development.
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[@michaelhill6451]

Honestly, just the fact that the State tested the gun to destruction and therefore didn't allow the defense the ability to examine it in its original state should have been grounds for dismissal.

[@aundraedwards581]

It's called prosecutorial misconduct and they should go on trial for what they did

[@Tammy_26Irwin]

You’re correct however the government has this little thing called IMMUNITY

[@annieyue9184]

The Judge is very right!

[@banbeocca9451]

No nonsense from the Judge. State being sloppy, sneaky, shady with evidence. Dismissed with prejudice, game over.

[@superweaseljr5396]

DA needs to be seriously investigated. What other cases have they had where they tampered with or hid evidence from the Defense?

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

This was because the prosecutor was doing Donald VonShitzinpantz Trump's hatred for Alex Baldwin's SNL skits

[@aussiedon]

Her ego is huge. Like a bull at a gate. Looking for clout and Acknowledgement. Struts around like a smarts””, that came back & sla””ed her in face, with a cold fish. Should be charged.

[@TC1TheOrginal]

Why it was dismissed. 1. The evidence was not given to the defence. 2. The evidence was filled under a different case, and miss labelled it as the bullet required. 3. The judge wanted to see the evidence and determined it was the same bullet type. It made no sense why it was filled under a different case, or miss labelled.

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

This was because the prosecutor was doing Donald VonShitzinpantz Trump's hatred for Alex Baldwin's SNL skits

[@iamthebroker]

Huh🤦🏻‍♂️

[@midnightmadness5307]

True, someone's not being forthright in this case, something's never been kosher about all of this, lies, hiding evidence, the gun handler seems to be 'not right' in her head.

[@nickswanwick1644]

some one in the police purposely got this case threw out!!

[@TC1TheOrginal]

@@nickswanwick1644 that is highly unlikely, but there should be an internal investigation, and someone will most likely lose their job.

[@ccerwin]

Corruption in the justice system will never be acceptable and should never be tolerated

[@trent4barnes]

The Judge expressed in her ruling with auditory emphasis "to ensure the "INTEGRITY" of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice". The verbal emphasis was regarding all the Trump Lawfare prosecutions

[@alphiethedog2141]

Unfortunately biden weaponizing the justice system against President Trump and others has been allowed due to corrupt democrats.

[@ellaw356]

Brady violation. Judge ruled correctly! Justice prevails!

[@bobbieminami4484]

It was a tragedy for the family and Mr. Baldwin. Tragic accident 😢

[@irishmclass2042]

Nobody bought off the Judge. It was a total Brady Violation. The Judge did the right thing! Get over it, and consider for one moment: if you were a defendant and the prosecution hid evidence from the trial, you would be very happy that the Judge dismissed the case for those reasons.

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

This was because the prosecutor was doing Donald VonShitzinpantz Trump's hatred for Alex Baldwin's SNL skits

[@noosphericaltarzan]

No, dude. When you place a firearm in your hand, you are 100% responsible for what happens with said firearm. You are responsible for what ammo is in it. You are responsible for maintain muzzle and trigger disciplines. We cannot live in a society saturated with firearms where we start demarcating situations where people are suddenly not accountable because of who they are.

[@mobilephoneuser-pr8cj]

She let a criminal go Alec is sure guilty of manslaughter she shot a loaded prop gun that he didn't check and it killed another human being

[@irishmclass2042]

@@noosphericaltarzan - I’m not a dude! lol! Isn’t anyone wondering WHO mysteriously brought the live rounds onto the set? Isn’t anyone considering the fact that there was malfeasance involved to set someone up? Not enough investigation was done whatsoever. On a certain level, and in most instances, yes, anyone handling a firearm should be aware of what type of ammo (live or blanks) is loaded within a firearm. However, on a movie set it is a completely different scenario, where multiple hired staff including an armorer, were paid to properly manage the firearms and when the gun was handed to Alec Baldwin, it was disclosed as a COLD gun. Sadly, it wasn’t a cold gun, and there was a shooting that involved 2 victims, of which one died. Extremely sad situation. Alec Baldwin handled privately the wrongful death lawsuit. He settled with Alayna’s family. He did not shirk that responsibility whatsoever. The problem lies in the fact the Prosecution attempted to suppress evidence which is intentionally unlawful. The Judge had no other option but to declare it a mistrial and dismiss the case. She did the right thing. The Prosecution team did not do the right thing; they made a bad decision and as a result, the Special Prosecutor plus others will face serious consequences and possibly loss of careers, etc. They rolled the dice, and lost.

[@rachelbrinkmeier6387]

​​@@noosphericaltarzan... For actors and actresses across the world that have never fired a live round in their lives they depend everyday on the paid professional armorers on set who inspect the weapons before they are used on set and they rely on those experts to tell them the guns can be used. Even the prosecution admitted ( after it was caught on film ) that the armorer told Baldwin the weapon was a "Cold Gun" meaning it was safe to be on set and used in film scenes. Every day hundreds of guns are inspected and declared to be cold guns to actors and actresses in movies and tv shows being filmed by professionals. This case was a witch hunt from the beginning and the prosecutors office and sheriffs department willfully and illegally withheld exculpatory evidence that would have helped Baldwins defense and also illegally violating Baldwins Constitutional rights and violating state law and court procedure. Now the armorer is going to get her conviction overturned.

[@leannblue1836]

Its been a horrible accident and a poor Alex has gone thru hell

[@AS768]

As anticipated. The charges were so bogus.

[@paulstandaert5709]

If you are going to charge Alec, literally everyone else in set needs to have charges brought up. It is my understanding that it is the responsibility of everyone on set to ensure a firearm is safe. There should not have been live rounds on site in any case.

[@jerrydillard2430]

Exactly! What the hell was a live even on the set!

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

This was because the prosecutor was doing Donald VonShitzinpantz Trump's hatred for Alex Baldwin's SNL skits

[@iamthebroker]

@zoomzoom You got nothing better to do but copy and paste this stupid comment everywhere….

[@JUBY11RAM]

Obviously the possibility is there that the prosecution has done stuff like this before and got away with it. The amount of people falsely accused and incarcerated proves that.

[@GoSheepie]

Hannah is still ultimately responsible. That was her job.

[@barbarasanchez-mitchell8167]

Been a avid fan of mr alec baldwin & specially delighted that the case was DISMISSED 🙏

[@The12Believe]

This has been one of the most Despicable characters of justice. I'm Glad it was Dismissed!! It was a very UNFORTUNATE accident. 😐

[@isabel.bolivia]

Glad for Alec, New Mexico's lawyers are shameful

[@DrChrisZimmer]

His lawyers blew a hole in the case for the prosecution. :)

[@voices_vary]

Spiro went in like a shark when he saw his chance. Great lawyering.

[@vernelledouglas1801]

This is so confusing and very sad. Hope her family can find peace someday. From before Brandon Lee to now, I pray more precautions are taken so It never happens again.

[@voices_vary]

It was a stunning dismissal and well-justified. It is not the prosecutor's decision on what the defense would want to use or not use. Morrissey's career may be over.

[@Tammy_26Irwin]

THIS 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@davidellis5141]

Justice ⚖️ was served.

[@1articoli]

I hope that Hannah Guttierez-Reed is given the same consideration that freed Alec Baldwin today. The evidence that was not introduced during discovery by the prosecution might well have had the same effect on her defence team's case if it had been available at the time of her trial. Let's hope this isn't going to be a rich guy gets off while 24 year old girl languishes in prison. In fact, Baldwin could do worse than to maybe have his team look into her case.

[@PearlRubyJasper]

It's about time when you're working in the movie industry someone hands you a prop you use it. You're not responsible for anything. How dare they continually go after him? It's because they want to sue him simply because he has the most money.

[@georgewilson9121]

bs hes guilty

[@jerrydillard2430]

How you figure that?

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

This was because the prosecutor was doing Donald VonShitzinpantz Trump's hatred for Alex Baldwin's SNL skits

[@iamthebroker]

@@ZoomZoomMX3🤦🏻‍♂️🤡

[@ubik459]

this was a perfect example of a case that should have never been brought

[@leelunk8235]

BS

[@77mudbug]

You're sick!!!!! You are next!

[@thepeff]

It’s a rough situation but sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes preventable bad things happen. The goal of the tribunal was to find criminal negligence and simply put: not all neglegence is criminal. Actors are not armorers and guns require more training than anyone is willing to admit, unfortunately. He will have to live with the public knowledge of what he’s done and in this specific circumstance I feel that justice was served

[@Earthling247]

About time. Never should have been brought.

[@allowyou9225]

Good !!! This case should have never been....

[@georgewilson9121]

balogna

[@jasonmcmillan6598]

Movies have a set of rule- an armorer is supposed to be a qualified person who endures that any weapons that are used in movies/TV are safe. The armorer is at fault- not the actor. Then (due to politics) the prosecution attempted tried to prosecute a person who is not at fault. that will get a dismissal. Then The politically motivated prosecutor intentionally hid evidence- that gets you a dismissed with prejudice". For the record- I don't like Alec Baldwin! However- justice doesn't care about how I feel.

[@dwsmyyth3480]

This was Republicans trying to get a Trump hater. Who are they kidding it wasn't anything but that.

[@midnightmadness5307]

You know I despise Trump just like anyone who's normal with a heart and brain, but this has nothing to do with that, don't mix apples with oranges.

[@randywalker2554]

They used Alec Baldwin to get there 15 minutes of fame.

[@brianhong301]

JUSTICE FINALLY SERVED. ALEC DID NOT BRING THE GUN TO THE SHOOT !@#$ QUESTION IS WAS THIS PROSECUTION POLITICAL OR WHAT?

[@hydrusnoir572]

Oh you can bet the prosecution and sheriff's office have MAGA on the brain, I hope the get investigated by the feds.

[@Unabomber210]

What the hell?

[@rb2287]

I am not a fan of Mr. Baldwin. HOWEVER, when he was handed a firearm by a person whose sole purpose in life was to ensure that it was safe for Mr. Baldwin to handle and/or operate, the negligence lies squarely with the firearm safety person. As was appropriate, she was found both guilty and her company was found liable. Even though Mr. Baldwin states the gun "went off on its own", which is absurd, it is also irrelevant. With respect to the ammunition, it sounds as though when it was brought to the attention of the police department, they appropriately seized and kept the ammunition as evidence. The fact that it was booked under a new case number is irrelevant. You can always cross-reference cases in the report narrative. What the police should have done was make reference to the "Rust Investigation" in their report so that the newly discovered evidence could be brought to the attention of the handling investigator(s). Then, it was up to the investigators to (1) investigate the origin of the ammunition and (2) bring the information immediately to the attention of the handling prosecutor. Now, if this was, in fact, how things took place and the prosecutor failed to disclose this evidence to the defense, that is completely bad. As a prosecutor, you are obligated to turn over ALL evidence regardless of whether or not you believe it is germane to the case. So, the judge made an appropriate decision. The fact that she dismissed it "with prejudice" is not problematic because he truly never should have been charged in the first place.

[@ItrolltRumpers]

A judge who takes her job and oath seriously, “judge” Cannon should take notes.

[@paulrasmussen8953]

Cannon is because that prodecution is making similar mistakes

[@trent4barnes]

The Judge expressed in her ruling with auditory emphasis "to ensure the "INTEGRITY" of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice". The verbal emphasis was regarding all the Trump Lawfare prosecutions

[@David31567]

DA f@@ked up

[@jaimeyanez6058]

I’m happy for you Alec Baldwin . That must have been a nightmare . Maybe after you get some rest you can come back to comedy?

[@FishBait-ug6ek]

I doubt it. It's not something that can be put in the rear view mirror.

[@robertjones-yo4ql]

THE CORRECT VERDICT , I WISH THE BALDWIN FAMILY ALL THE BEST .

[@ccerwin]

It’s bad enough the prosecutor was complicit but the police unfortunately do much worse because of prosecutors and attorney generals like the one we saw today enabling them.

[@madmax9051]

Mr. Baldwin people want to see you again on Saturday night live as President Trump they will pay you top dollar ❤$$$$$

[@FishBait-ug6ek]

Really? This is a joke, right?

[@wam7484]

I'm not allowed to have a gun with me on a remote hiking trail for self defense. How do they justify the use of real guns as props for movies? Accidents are foreseeable. Movie prop guns should by law be non-fireable replicas. Just common sense.

[@paulrasmussen8953]

Because its cheap and easy and a gun is only dangerous with live ammo

[@Dan78guy]

Why are u even bringing this entertainment lawyer back? a few hours ago he said this motion that lead to the case being dismissed would do nothing. He has no idea what he is talking about.

[@christinechristensen6871]

WOW!

[@volcommermaid12]

These prosecutors need to be held accountable! This is absolutely terrible! Reade needs to be let out and paid well all I gotta say !

[@BookishNan-mz7sh]

You provided the best coverage, a great video, well explained.

[@jeanettecoleman-mz7ie]

Prosecutor a shark, & plays dirty, witholding evidence (NNever justice for the life of an innocent person though)

[@harleyb.birdwhisperer]

Good day - Alec’s case dismissed, Rudy got hammered. 😊

[@Michael-ck2my]

Are these guys bloody serious, come on,

[@syngonsmythe38]

I got a rhetorical question: if this happened to a low life black dude with an appointed lawyer, would this be the outcome? Come on, be honest!

[@ritaenoel9884]

I never understood why Alec Baldwin was held accountable in the first place. To my knowledge, he is not an ammunition's expert. He is an actor! I am glad to hear that this case is dismissed. Alec, if you're reading this, take a nice long vacation and try to put all of this all behind you.

[@caseymanuel7199]

This man never should have never ever been brought to trial. I don’t care who likes him or doesn’t. This is a waste of time and money. This man trusted the armorer to do her job and she didn’t. They only did this to make the news. It’s crazy.

[@randolphwh9551]

Ty it was with prejudice do not omit that shyt how many trials he had a person that was a professional that fed up some greedy prosecutor thought ppl are mad I have to meaning he's a coward that doesn't realize justice suppose to be blind or he kept it going bc publicity n media gyoe

[@user-ys9bl6us8h]

It was ridiculous from the beginning. Whoever puts a live round in a prop gun is responsible. Alec didn't know, was devastated and the prosecutors were only doing this to get 2 yrs of fame. What they got was condemnation for bringing the charges at all. You put Alec, his family and friends through hell. Over reach, hiding the truth. Prosecutors involved in this goose chase should face charges. The yoke is too tight! Vote blue 💙

[@dinasaidso]

Dismissed WITH Prejudice!!! Justice served on a silver platter 🎉 for Alec

[@independent-ts6ys]

Not guilty. Told ya

[@Douglas_I]

It doesn't mean he's not guilty but he is getting away with it

[@walterbo7687]

​​@@Douglas_I technically, I agree with you. The judge didn't say he is not guilty but that prosecution did a bad job, suppressing evidence

[@Greg-dl8sz]

You dam right

[@David31567]

Judge never said he was innocent , she dismissed because DA f@@ked up. not because she found him innocent . Even if Ted Bundy was on trial and DA dont disclose all evidence to his defense, court will dismiss the case aswell. Learn the different

[@brendacurrie358]

unprecedented . Bravo to the defense !!! Prosecution was a train wreck with blatant disregard - Brady violation . Judge Sommer did a great job today 💪

[@celebcopcams]

Girls getting it done. 😂😂😂😂

[@TXLennyS]

Damm sounds like GA prosecutors

[@aundraedwards581]

Thank God it didn't go before The Supreme Court

[@EthelbertCoyote]

Another prosecuter not doing thier job by making things personal because of the profile and losing the case.

[@euginemiller7760]

the gun fully loaded or just one round i havent heard anything about that

[@nickswanwick1644]

alec is a bad movie producer but is he guilty of manslaughter ? he definatley has some responsibility in this case he got off lightly in my oppinion

[@johngennari2899]

like it or not, he killed her and walks with no penalty. Its wrong.

[@mrmustangman]

good....

[@knucklegame5050]

It's america, what do youz Expect? Smh

[@ad5ez1]

Check the bank accounts of those prosecutors who got this dismissed!

[@dalton-jon-f5791]

Nothing to do with left or right politics let's get that clear.

[@VoodooV1]

That never stops anyone from involving politics anyway

[@PearlRubyJasper]

Why would you ask this lady's expert advice?

[@marciaevans-v4x]

🙏🙏🙏🙏❤🦋

[@user-hy5nd9dr5t]

bought and paid for

[@user-xb3sj1ix3k]

Corrupt right wing prosecutor trying to make a name for herself by convicting an I. Dent man backfires! Typical deplorable love to keep evidence from the defense team! She needs to be brought up on prosecutorial misconduct charges and disbarred! Thank God the legal system held firm! Maga is always trying to pull this bs!

[@Islandbaby962]

All about the Benjamin's. Bought and paid for.

[@FishBait-ug6ek]

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but were the live rounds planted? If so, by who?

[@VoodooV1]

...said the conspiracy "theorist"

[@tishku8885]

Love Alec. Tradgic thing due to a coked up hot shot kid. Thank God for justice.

[@ScottSegler-yz1zz]

NOT MUCH OF A SURPRISE! THE LAW IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR!

[@ZoomZoomMX3]

This was because the prosecutor was doing Donald VonShitzinpantz Trump's hatred for Alex Baldwin's SNL skits

[@iamthebroker]

🤦🏻‍♂️🤡

[@Unabomber210]

Could you imagine if Baldwin supported a republican canidate😂

[@Im_a_49er]

He’s innocent because he didn’t bring the active rounds. BUT!! WTF are you doing pointing any gun at ANYONE! Act as if it’s loaded. You killed her Alec. Shows how high and mighty you think you are that normal precautions don’t apply to you. Point away from ANYONE. Real or fake.

[@Leslie_Knope]

He had live ammo on his belt. Prosecutors f**ked up in the trial. Of course a celebrity was protected in the end.

[@paulrasmussen8953]

Movies have different rules

[@Im_a_49er]

@@paulrasmussen8953 I’m saying. Even if you’re practicing wtf are you doing pointing it at a worker on set and actually pulling the trigger. Even if it’s fake it makes the loud sound so were you trying to scare her??? You don’t even play like that. Point at a wall or don’t even pull the damn trigger.

[@Roams_]

🤣🤣

[@SDune]

Sad.

[@coinfliplunatic9269]

Congrats mr baldwin!

[@bftdr]

alec baldwin doesn't look like an actor anymore. if you never saw him before you'd think he was another atty at the defense table and look around wondering where's alec baldwin.

[@loriejohnson6096]

Thank Heaven❤

[@ashdobbs]

a woman as an armourer? give me a break.

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Worse than that is the fact she was incompetent.

[@TF-vb9us]

Ok incel 😂

[@ashdobbs]

@@TF-vb9us purple haired millennial girl gets job as an armourer, someone ends up dead. go figure

[@dalejohns2758]

Who didn't see that coming? $$$$

[@mrmustangman]

i didn't

[@zee4265]

He failed to follow basic gun safety rules. He didn’t clear his weapon system. He never should have handled that weapon without a basic understanding of how it functions.

[@RostyslavKobizsky]

because he never dealt with an actual weapon, just props, which are toys? doesn't it make sense?

[@VoodooV1]

Not the actor's job. Was the armorer's job, who was convicted. Pretty simple

[@TheNewsInASL]

​@@VoodooV1 An anti-gun lefty shouldn't even be using a prop gun, should he?

[@themountrushmorestateofmin6307]

We can all agree that it was horrific gun safety but it’s a stretch to blame him. They convicted who was to blame criminally. Keep in mind that it was a movie set, a job essentially. He’s a paid actor that was following the advice of paid consultants. There are many actors in action movies who weren’t familiar with firearms prior.

[@zee4265]

@@VoodooV1 it’s the job of anyone who handles a firearm

[@leelunk8235]

OF COURSE THEY DISMISSED IT .THE CHICK IN PRISON WAS THE SCAPEGOAT

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Well she was hired to do that job

[@coinfliplunatic9269]

She was the one who loaded it and cleared it for set, SOOOO......

[@leelunk8235]

@@coinfliplunatic9269 ALEC POINTED THE GUN AT THE VICTIM AND PULLED TRIGGER THEN LIED AND SAID TRIGGER WASNT PULLED. BOTH THINGS WERE NOT IN THE TRAINING

[@coinfliplunatic9269]

@@leelunk8235 let me type everything in caps to get my point across while looking like an asshole.

[@TF-vb9us]

@@leelunk8235settle down, Karen 😂

[@wytube2009]

AB aint never going back to NM

[@Islandbaby962]

What the what???! 😭 This would not have happened if he wasn't stupid/ negligent and pointing it at someone who wasn't even in the script.... the Camara crew. Once again, it's backward world. The world is getting whackier by the minute.

[@georgewilson9121]

when anyone drives a car they are resposible for it

[@OhNiceMatt]

NOT on a Fake Movie Set

[@wendyhannaford7696]

Wow, outragous

[@Doug_M]

Two tiered justice system at work. A show trial so they could say at least they tried. Meanwhile if it was one of us peasants, we'd be spending the next few years in prison for doing what he did.

[@paulrasmussen8953]

No

[@user-sh7qb4ru9x]

Trueindenationaldepressur

[@seH2i]

Baldwin dodged a bullet ......

[@richardpoindexter6322]

liberal activist judges are thick in new mexico...

[@jasonmcmillan6598]

Conservative Activist Prosecutor is the issue!

[@YamiSama77]

Money talks

[@1Vmiboy]

Must be nice to be a celebrity.

[@Earthling247]

Can you name the crime supposed to have been committed?

[@Leslie_Knope]

All of these gross people couldn't care less that Baldwin t○○k out H. Hutchins. I doubt he gives 2 f**ks, either. I think he paid off the husband, too. He isn't going after Baldwin for anything. Heartbreaking situation.

[@vall2633]

It's gone nothing to do with being a celebrity! He suffered like anyone else and would have been imprisoned like anyone else. It was also a tragic accident that happened to that poor woman.

[@Earthling247]

@@vall2633 Baldwin committed no crime in this case. Should never have been brought.

[@Greg-dl8sz]

A normal citizen would be locked away. This bs is about money. Who is getting paid. Thats what needs to be investiged. Who follow the money trail. This isnt over. Bank accounts recipes, follow the monthly money.

[@TF-vb9us]

Corrupt prosecutor lost. This is justice for my state.

[@Greg-dl8sz]

@@TF-vb9us chill and have a drink. You or me can change the outcome.

[@zeke5491]

SNL Trump lampooner has been vindicated by the democrat mafia

[@BIG-BlueNation8569]

Let all congratulate this judge and all wish her BON VOYAGE """enjoy your new 31 foot French boat .I mean yacht... Well democrats other than Hunter Biden have operated without consequences for past 10 11 yrs. .do whatever and walk away laughing with more money some how.. its good to be a democrat.

[@vivianahidalgo-gato4984]

What a b… of course

[@americafirst9144]

Just because he is rich and famous. A travesty of justice.

[@TF-vb9us]

Because the prosecutor tried to cheat the case and it cost them the verdict.