Alec Baldwin was charged with the manslaughter of cameraman Galina Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust”. The court found that the prosecution had concealed important evidence and dismissed the case.
How tells euronews, Friday 12 July A New Mexico court has acquitted Alec Baldwin of manslaughter charges. The actor's case on manslaughter has been closed permanently, without the right to reopen. The judge dismissed the jury and ended the trial due to the concealment of material evidence. Baldwin burst into tears in the courtroom after the verdict was announced.
The actor's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case on Friday, arguing that the prosecution failed to turn over key evidence to the defense – a batch of bullets involved in the case – thereby casting doubt on the investigation. Prosecutors said the bullets were unrelated to the case, but the judge ruled that they should have been turned over to the defense anyway:
“The concealment of this information by the authorities was conscious and deliberate. The court has no opportunity to correct this error.”
Alec Baldwin charged with manslaughter Galina Hutchins, who was shot during filming with a revolver – it turned out to be loaded with live ammunition instead of blanks. Earlier, the film's pyrotechnician Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of manslaughter and received an 18-month prison sentence.
The prosecution claimed that Baldwin had grossly disregarded safety precautions on the set and faced up to 18 months in prison. The actor denied his guilt. A year ago, the New Mexico prosecutor's office had already charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter, but the case was closed for lack of evidence.
More Stories
BRICS: Trump says US sanctions are undermining the dollar
Erdogan Calls for Global Muslim Alliance Against Israel
Lithuania Installs 'Dragon's Teeth' on Border with Russia (Video)