Alec Baldwin breaks down at Rust trial and clings to his wife as judge considers dismissing case over ‘hidden evidence’
ALEC Baldwin was seen getting emotional in court on Friday as his involuntary manslaughter trial was put on hold amid a motion to dismiss.
Images show the Academy Award-winner breaking down and leaning over a table as his wife Hilaria Baldwin comforted him.
Baldwin, 66, is on trial for fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza on the set of the film Rust in October 2021.
The trial was put on hold Friday with Judge Mary Marlowe adjourning the jury until Monday.
Baldwin’s defense team has issued a motion calling for the case to be dismissed over hidden evidence, according to the Associated Press.
His lawyers have claimed the prosecution hid evidence about ammunition that might be related to Hutchins’ death.
“We don’t know if it’s a live ammunition match or not,” attorney Lukas Nikas told Marlowe.
“But we do know that the state had it, and it’s disclosable.”
Prosecutors have reportedly denied any evidence was hidden, claiming the ammunition was not connected to the trial.
The ammunition in question was reportedly obtained from Troy Teske, a friend of the father of Hannah Guiterrez-Reed, who worked as the armorer on the film.
Gutierrez-Reed has already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ death and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Kari Morrissey, the special prosecutor, revealed in court that the ammunition brought up by the defense was not the same size or of the same chemical composition as the bullets found on the set of the film.
“This is a wild goose chase that has no evidentiary value whatsoever,” Morrissey said, according to the Associated Press.
“This is just a man trying to protect his daughter.”
On Friday, Baldwin appeared emotional in court, resting his head in his wife’s arm as she embraced him.
Baldwin’s trial began earlier this week with his defense attorney’s arguing that he committed no crime and was simply doing his job as an actor on set.
Hutchins was killed in October 2021 when Baldwin was using what he thought was a prop gun with fake bullets.
However, the actor was unaware that Gutierrez-Reed had mistakenly loaded a live gun into the weapon.
Prosecutors have claimed that Baldwin was reckless with a firearm on the set, endangering others.
Timeline of events post the fatal shooting
HALYNA Hutchins was killed on the set of Western blockbuster 'Rust' - here is a timeline of key events that followed the tragedy.
October 6, 2021 – Production on Rust begins in Sante Fe, New Mexico
October 21, 2021 – Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is shot and killed by a prop gun actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with
Nov 17, 2021 – The script supervisor files a lawsuit accusing Baldwin of ‘playing Russian roulette’ by pointing a revolver at Hutchins
Dec 2, 2021 – Baldwin speaks out and denies pulling the trigger and said he has ‘no idea’ why live rounds were on set
Jan 12, 2022 – Armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed files a lawsuit against the ammunition box manufacturer for ‘failing to state the boxes contained both live and dummy rounds’
Feb 15, 2922 – Hutchins’ family files wrongful death suit against Rust’s producers
April 20, 2022 – Rust production fined over failures that led to ‘avoidable death’
October 5, 2022 – Hutchins’ family reaches a settlement with the production company and Baldwin
Nov 11, 2022 – Baldwin files lawsuit alleging negligence of several crew members
Jan 31, 2023 – Involuntary manslaughter charges announced against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed
Feb 23, 2023 – Baldwin pleads not guilty
March 31, 2023 – David Hall, Rust’s first assistant director, was sentenced to six months probation after pleading guilty to unsafe handling of a firearm
April 20, 2023 – Manslaughter charges against Baldwin dropped
June 22, 2023 – Gutierrez-Reed additionally charged with tampering with evidence
August 9, 2023 – The armorer pleads not guilty
Jan 19, 2024 – Baldwin indicted by grand jury again for manslaughter
Jan 31, 2024 – Baldwin again pleads not guilty
April 15, 2024 – Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter
June 21, 2024 – Baldwin and lawyers were denied dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charge by a New Mexico judge
July 9, 2024 – Rust trial begins
Baldwin has insisted that he never fired the gun, only simply cocked its hammar.
However, prosecutors have argued that the gun could not have been fired otherwise.
“He pointed the gun at another human being, cocked the hammer, and pulled that trigger in reckless disregard for Ms. Hutchins’ safety,” prosecutor Erlina Johnson said Wednesday.
“The only true and just verdict in this case, so that true justice can be served, is a verdict of guilty of involuntary manslaughter.”
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in jail.
