LOS ANGELES: Alec Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter collapsed in spectacular fashion on Friday as a judge found key evidence over a fatal shooting on the set of “Rust” had been withheld from the defence, and dismissed the case.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, presiding over the trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, said bullets potentially linked to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins that could have been favorable to Baldwin’s case had not been shared with his lawyers by police and prosecutors.

The Hollywood A-lister immediately burst into tears, as the case — which could have seen him sentenced to 18 months in prison if found guilty — was abruptly tossed out in sensational scenes.

“The state’s willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate. If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice,” said Marlowe Sommer.

“The court concludes that this conduct is highly prejudicial to the defendant.” Baldwin was holding a gun in the direction of Hutchins during a rehearsal in October 2021 when the weapon fired, killing Hutchins and wounding the film’s director.

The movie’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez, who loaded the fatal weapon, is already serving 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin was facing the same charge. Prosecutors claim he ignored basic gun safety laws and acted recklessly on set.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2024