The New Mexico judge overseeing Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case upheld the charges against the actor on June 21, following multiple motions by Baldwin’s defense team to have it dismissed.

The case concerns Baldwin's involvement in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust in 2021, with the trial now definitively poised to proceed, as People reports.

Judge Rejects Baldwin’s Motions

Baldwin’s legal troubles continued as Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided to uphold the involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor. This decision followed a hearing on June 21 in which Baldwin’s lawyers had filed two motions on May 6, seeking dismissal of the charges.

The actor's defense team argued that the prosecution failed to allege a criminal offense adequately and accused them of destroying crucial evidence. Despite these arguments, Judge Sommer ruled that the case would proceed to trial.

The tragic incident took place in 2021 when Baldwin was handling a prop gun on the set of the film Rust.

The gun discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has repeatedly stated that he did not pull the trigger and was unaware that the gun contained live ammunition.

Arguments on Evidence and Awareness

During the hearing, Baldwin's attorney John Bash emphasized that Baldwin should not be charged because he was unaware of the live ammunition in the gun. Bash stated, "If he didn't know of the substantial risk that it had live ammunition in it, he can't be guilty."

Judge Sommer responded by highlighting the presence of disputed facts that warranted a jury's decision. "There does exist disputed facts before the court that are not capable of dismissal as a matter of law," she said.

Further arguments were made regarding the destruction of the prop gun during FBI testing. The defense claimed that this testing was destructive and improper.

FBI Expert Testimony on Gun Testing

FBI firearms expert Bryce Ziegler provided testimony on the testing conducted on the prop gun. Ziegler explained that pulling the trigger required two to two-and-a-half pounds of force. This detail aimed to counter Baldwin's claim that he did not pull the trigger.

Baldwin's lawyers criticized the FBI's handling of the gun. They argued that government agents were aware that the firearm would not survive their tests intact and that these actions compromised Baldwin's defense. The defense stated, “Government agents knew that the firearm would not survive their clumsy ‘tests’ intact. They said so explicitly in emails."

The defense further accused prosecutors of pushing ahead without preserving the original state of the firearm through proper documentation and without informing Baldwin or his counsel.

Additional Motions and Upcoming Hearings

In addition to the motions discussed on June 21, Baldwin's attorneys had filed another motion on June 17, accusing prosecutors of withholding evidence. This motion has not yet been ruled on by Judge Sommer.

The judge has scheduled another hearing for June 24, 2024, to decide on the motion regarding the destruction of evidence. Judge Sommer indicated that the follow-up to the hearing would be scheduled at 2:30 p.m. local time and would conclude by 5:30 p.m. "no matter what."

Baldwin's defense team continues to push for the dismissal of charges, focusing on what they allege are prosecutorial misconduct and procedural errors. They argue that the evidence against Baldwin is insufficient for a criminal charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Conclusion

As Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case progresses, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer's decision to uphold the charges ensures that the trial will proceed.

Despite arguments from Baldwin's defense regarding the lack of a criminal offense and the destruction of evidence, the court has determined that disputed facts require a jury's deliberation.

The incident, which resulted in the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins, remains under intense scrutiny, with further hearings scheduled to address ongoing motions and evidence issues.

The next steps in the case include a hearing on June 24, when Judge Sommer will address the defense's concerns about evidence destruction. Baldwin's legal team continues to assert that procedural missteps and the mishandling of evidence have compromised their client's ability to mount a fair defense.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the trial will determine whether Baldwin will be held criminally responsible for the accident on the set of Rust. The case highlights the complexities of legal accountability in high-profile incidents involving potential negligence and procedural conduct.