Fox News chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt has the latest on the stunning end to the actor's involuntary manslaughter trial in the 'Rust' set shooting case.
In a surprising turn of events, charges against actor Alec Baldwin were dismissed with prejudice on Friday, July 12, 2024, with the trial ending before it even really began. Per the judge’s ruling, Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case cannot be filed again, a decision which brought the actor to tears as he sat in the courtroom.
Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter for negligent use of a firearm while on set for his upcoming movie, "Rust." Negligence is a failure to exercise appropriate care expected to be exercised in similar circumstances or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection), both fourth-degree felonies.
At the time of the incident, Baldwin was handed the prop gun that day and told it was "cold," meaning there was no live ammunition inside. However, Baldwin contends the trigger was never pulled. Instead, stating the gun discharged a single time when it was removed from the holster on set.
CONVICTED 'RUST' ARMORER ASKS FOR NEW TRIAL AFTER ALEC BALDWIN'S INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CASE DISMISSED
The chamber of the revolver contained an actual lead bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Filmmaker Jenna Rosher (R) films Alec Baldwin departing his hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital )
The report from the forensics expert, Lucien C. Haag, did not directly address whether the gun had been modified. Though it concluded the........