New Mexico judge rejects attempt to dismiss Alec Baldwin involuntary manslaughter case

A New Mexico judge on Friday denied a request from the defense to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against actor Alec Baldwin, for his role in the fatal accidental shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Baldwin, who has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge, allegedly fired a gun on the set of the western film "Rust" in October of 2021. The set's armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March, and sentenced to 18 months in prison. If convicted in his trial this July, Baldwin could also face up to 18 months in prison.

Judge Mary Marlowe's ruling comes after she heard oral arguments from both sides last week, where defense lawyers argued prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey left out key evidence to the grand jury. But Morrissey argued that Baldwin "has responsibility for the firearms once it is in their hands," according to NBC News.

The defense also accused prosecutors of “publicly dragged Baldwin through the cesspool created by their improprieties – without any regard for the fact that serious criminal charges have been hanging over his head for two and a half years," according to CNN, which they have denied.

Marlowe claimed in her rejection of the dismissal that despite the defense's allegations, prosecution had not violated the instructions of the grand jury judge, and could not find bad faith in the prosecution or errors in the instructions for the grand jury.

Baldwin was initially charged in the case in 2023, but charges were eventually dropped. They were refiled in January and he was indicted by a grand jury. Baldwin has admitted to pointing a loaded gun on set but has denied pulling the trigger.