Judge denies Alec Baldwin's attempt to dismiss 'Rust' shooting case

In a recent development, a judge has rejected Alec Baldwin's attempt to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter case against him, paving the way for his trial over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins to proceed. The incident occurred on the set of the movie "Rust" in 2021, where Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured by a prop gun held by Baldwin during a scene rehearsal in New Mexico. Baldwin's defense team had sought to have the case thrown out after the firearm central to the case was damaged during forensic testing at an FBI lab. They argued that the destruction of the gun violated Baldwin's rights and hindered their ability to mount a proper defense. However, the judge ruled that the unaltered gun did not meet the standard of potentially useful evidence and found no evidence to suggest it could have exonerated Baldwin. Despite the setback for Baldwin, the judge did order the prosecution to fully disclose the nature and impact of the firearm testing to the jury. The ruling sets the stage for jury selection to begin in July, with Baldwin facing up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Baldwin has maintained his innocence, claiming the gun went off without him pulling the trigger, while the movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the incident. The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the tragic outcome of the shooting. The judge's decision to proceed with the trial underscores the seriousness of the charges against Baldwin and the need for a thorough examination of the evidence in court. As the legal proceedings move forward, the focus will be on determining the facts surrounding the shooting and delivering justice for the victims and their families.