The special prosecutor in the high-profile “Rust” case has requested that Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer reconsider her decision to dismiss manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin, per variety.com. The case, stemming from the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” film set, took a dramatic twist when the judge threw out the charges on July 12, citing prosecutorial misconduct.
Kari Morrissey, the appointed special prosecutor, claims that the defence team “confused” the judge about the relevance of withheld evidence. She argues that Baldwin’s nine-member defense team strategically timed their motion to dismiss, taking advantage of the prosecution’s limited resources.
The prosecutor’s motion suggests that the defence may have had prior knowledge of the contested evidence, potentially through the attorney of “Rust” armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed. Morrissey maintains that the bullets in question were not exculpatory and thus not required to be disclosed.
As the legal battle intensifies, Morrissey has indicated the possibility of seeking to reinstate the case on appeal, setting the stage for further developments in this high-stakes Hollywood tragedy.
- Featured image: Actor and producer Alec Baldwin sits in First District Court/Eddie Moore/Journal
