'Rust' prosecutor claims Baldwin's trial was 'improperly' dismissed, targets armorer
Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey has challenged the dismissal of Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial related to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. In a public filing on July 31, 2024, Morrissey claimed that Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer was determined to end Baldwin's trial and was flawed in her reasoning. The prosecutor also opposed a retrial for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for Rust, who is currently incarcerated.
Morrissey criticizes the court's understanding of testimony
Morrissey argued that the court misunderstood the testimony given on July 12, 2024, leading to an improper dismissal of Baldwin's case. She based her argument on off-record statements from the court, which she claimed indicated a clear intention to dismiss the case. Additionally, Morrissey criticized defense attorney Jason Bowles for attempting to secure his client's release from state prison or a retrial.
Suppressed evidence led to Baldwin's case dismissal
The dismissal of Baldwin's case followed the revelation of suppressed evidence, which included details about bullets from ex-Arizona cop Troy Teske. In Gutierrez-Reed's case, Morrissey argued that, unlike Baldwin's case, the State did not possess the Teske ammunition before trial. Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving an 18-month sentence in a New Mexico state prison after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for a live round that ended up on the set of Rust.
Judge Sommer cited 'willful and deliberate misconduct'
Judge Sommer dismissed Baldwin's case due to "willful and deliberate misconduct" by Morrissey for eliciting false testimony about bullets in front of the jury. She also faulted Morrissey for "intentionally and deliberately withholding" key evidence from the court, which could have absolved Baldwin sooner. The suppressed evidence included a batch of bullets, three of which appeared to match the live bullets found on the film set.
Gutierrez-Reed's lawyers sought conviction overturn
Gutierrez-Reed's lawyers have argued that her conviction should be overturned due to the state's failure to disclose an interview with weapons supplier Seth Kenney and a forensic report showing unexplained tool marks on Baldwin's gun. In response, Morrissey stated that the undisclosed Kenney interview merely repeated statements and that the forensic report did not benefit Gutierrez-Reed's defense. The dismissal of Baldwin's case has raised the possibility of Gutierrez-Reed being set free, but this decision ultimately rests with Judge Sommer.
