Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Case Dismissed, a Hollywood Legal Thriller Ends

In a dramatic turn of events, the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust" has been dismissed by a judge, leaving Baldwin unscathed after facing up to 18 months in prison.

SANTA FE, N.M. - In a scene straight out of a Hollywood legal thriller, the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, stemming from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust" in 2021, collapsed within hours on Friday. The dramatic proceedings featured the lead prosecutor taking the stand and admitting to withholding crucial evidence.

Baldwin, 66, entered the courtroom on Friday facing the prospect of up to 18 months in prison. However, he left unscathed after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that prosecutors had been "intentional and deliberate" in withholding key information from the defense. Baldwin, visibly moved, sobbed at the witness table and embraced his wife, Hilaria.

Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Case Dismissed, a Hollywood Legal Thriller Ends

The trial's fourth day began with a bombshell accusation from defense attorney Luke Nikas, who alleged that the state had "buried" evidence indicating that the live ammunition found on the set of "Rust" may have come from prop supplier Seth Kenney. Despite the severity of the claims, lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey refused to drop the case prior to Friday's session.

Unexpectedly, Morrissey's co-counsel, special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, resigned abruptly before the hearing on whether to dismiss the case over the concealed evidence. "I told her to dismiss it. The evidence should have been turned over," Johnson told Fox News Digital. "I was upset."

Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Case Dismissed, a Hollywood Legal Thriller Ends

The crucial evidence that ultimately derailed the case emerged shortly after armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was convicted in March of the same charge Baldwin faced. An investigation revealed that a retired police officer, Troy Teske, had delivered rounds matching the bullet that killed Hutchins to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office.

During Friday's hearing, it was revealed that Teske had never been interviewed and that Morrissey and the lead investigators had decided not to inventory the evidence in the "Rust" file but instead under a different case number. As a result, the information was never disclosed to the defense.

Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Case Dismissed, a Hollywood Legal Thriller Ends

In a desperate attempt to salvage the case, Morrissey called herself as a witness and insisted the evidence was irrelevant to Baldwin's defense. However, defense attorney Alex Spiro challenged Morrissey's credibility, questioning her bias against Baldwin. Morrissey admitted to using derogatory terms when discussing Baldwin and witnesses.

The prosecution's case crumbled as the judge dismissed it with prejudice, meaning Baldwin cannot be charged again. "I'm disappointed because I believe that the importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys," Morrissey said outside the courthouse.

Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Case Dismissed, a Hollywood Legal Thriller Ends

The stunning blow to the prosecution team, which had been working on the case for over three years, came after only seven witnesses had been called. Baldwin's acquittal is a major victory for his legal team, who argued that he should not be held criminally responsible for the tragic accident.