Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' manslaughter case officially ends after prosecutors withdraw appeal
Alec Baldwin's legal woes stemming from the 2021 "Rust" shooting and death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins are over — at least in criminal court for this case.
In a Monday press release from the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey announced she withdrew prosecutors' notice of appeal that was filed last month to revive the case against Baldwin, after Hutchins died on the set of "Rust" three years ago.
"This has always been about seeking justice for Halyna Hutchins. We regret that Mr. Baldwin will not be held accountable for the role he played in the death of Halyna Hutchins and as we withdraw the appeal, we do so with the hope that the outstanding lawsuits bring some measure of justice to the family of Halyna Hutchins," Morrissey said. Hutchins' family will address members of the press alongside attorney Gloria Allred at a press conference at 2 p.m. eastern.
In a statement to Paste BN on Monday, Baldwin's attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro addressed Morrissey's withdrawn appeal.
"Today's decision to dismiss the appeal is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning—this was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime," Nikas and Spiro said in a statement. "The rule of law remains intact in New Mexico."
On Nov. 21, Morrissey pushed back on New Mexico District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer's dismissal of Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of "Rust" cinematographer Hutchins.
In court documents, Morrissey appealed Sommer's July decision and a separate October ruling that upheld her decision to dismiss the charge against Baldwin in a blow to state prosecutors.
Morrisey did not list a reason for the appeal in her filing. In 2022, Baldwin settled a lawsuit with Hutchins' family.
Halyna Hutchins' mom slammed Baldwin amid 'Rust' movie premiere
Earlier that week, on Nov. 19, Hutchins' mother Olga Solovey released a statement slamming Baldwin, sharing that she was protesting the movie's premiere.
"It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen. Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter," Solovey said in a statement.
Hutchins; mother continued, telling readers that "Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter." Solovey added: That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of 'Rust,' especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter."
On Dec. 17, Baldwin vowed to show his "truth of what happened" during the "Rust" shooting on David Duchovny's "Fail Better" podcast.
"The more to come is now my effort, and it's going to be undeniably a successful effort, to expose what really happened," he said, adding that "the truth of what happened has never been told."
Alec Baldwin set to star on TLC reality show with family, 'SNL'
In the five months since Sommer dismissed Baldwin's case, the famed actor has largely regrouped and returned to his entertainment roots.
In June, TLC announced a reality show slated for next year starring Baldwin, his controversial wife Hilaria and their seven children, which the network said will feature "non-stop love, laughter and drama" in a press release at the time.
Baldwin has also made frequent appearances on "Saturday Night Live" in recent months, including a reprisal of his role as former and President-elect Donald Trump and a portrayal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, KiMi Robinson, Reuters