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Prosecutor's Stunning Move Reignites "Rust" Legal Firestorm, Alec Baldwin's Case Hangs in the Balance

Paul Riverbank, 9/5/2024Prosecutor seeks to reopen Alec Baldwin "Rust" case, arguing previous dismissal was premature.
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In a surprising turn of events, the New Mexico prosecutor in the high-profile "Rust" shooting case is pushing for a review of the decision to drop Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charge. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has submitted a motion asking Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer to reconsider her previous ruling. This unexpected development could potentially reignite the legal drama surrounding the tragic incident on set.

At the heart of the controversy lies a contentious set of .45-caliber rounds -- evidence that Morrissey insists was mishandled but not purposefully concealed. "It never occurred to the State that the Teske rounds were relevant to the case against Mr. Baldwin and they are not," she asserted in her 52-page filing, referring to the ammunition supplied by Troy Teske, a former police officer with potential connections to the case.

The crux of the matter hinges on the handling of these rounds by the prosecution. As Baldwin's defense team alleged, "The state's willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate," prompting Judge Sommer to declare, "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."

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Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has a different take on the Alec Baldwin case. She argues that Baldwin's attorneys knew about the Teske rounds well before the trial, making any claims of concealment irrelevant. Morrissey also pointed out that errors by the crime scene technician were just mistakes and not intentional deception.

Morrissey is pushing to reopen the case because she feels the initial decision to drop the charges was too hasty. She believes there weren’t enough facts to back up the July ruling and insists that Baldwin’s rights were not violated. Instead, she argues that the judge should have considered less drastic measures, such as declaring a mistrial.

Despite the ongoing legal battles, the human cost of the tragedy is still front and center. The death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the "Rust" set remains a powerful reminder of the serious consequences involved, keeping public interest and scrutiny high.

Both sides are standing firm as the case moves forward. Baldwin, charged with involuntary manslaughter after the gun he was holding fired and killed Hutchins, continues to maintain his innocence. Meanwhile, the prosecution is determined to seek justice despite the procedural challenges.

The judge’s upcoming decision on whether to revisit the case could have a major impact. This high-profile case has drawn national attention and highlighted crucial safety issues on film sets. Whether Baldwin’s charges will be reinstated or dismissed is still uncertain, but the "Rust" shooting has undeniably made a significant impact on the entertainment industry and sparked a broader discussion about on-set safety.