It’s been six months since an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin was dismissed in New Mexico. Prosecutors in the case have decided not to appeal the decision, marking the official end of the lengthy criminal case.
The 66-year-old actor was indicted last January after a gun he was holding on the set of the film Rust discharged in October 2021, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The charge was dismissed last July after Baldwin’s attorneys alleged prosecutors had buried evidence.
On Monday, Dec. 23, the Santa Fe district attorney announced in a press release that prosecutors will no longer challenge the ruling after special prosecutor Kari Morissey withdrew the State’s notice of appeal. The notice was filed on Nov. 21.
“The Special Prosecutor intended to pursue an appeal of the dismissal, however, the Office of the Attorney General notified the Special Prosecutor that the Attorney General did not intend to exhaustively pursue the appeal on behalf of the prosecution,” the release states.
The State still “strongly disagrees” with the court’s dismissal of the charge against Baldwin, and denies concealing evidence.
“This has always been about seeking justice for Halyna Hutchins,” Morrisey said in a statement, per the release. “We regret that Mr. Baldwin will not be held accountable for the role he played in the death of Halyna Hutchins and as we withdraw the appeal, we do so with the hope that the outstanding lawsuits bring some measure of justice to the family of Halyna Hutchins.”
Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro tell PEOPLE the “decision to dismiss the appeal is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning.”
“This was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. The rule of law remains intact in New Mexico,” the actor’s counsel adds.
In a follow-up press release, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said although the D.A. disagrees with the dismissal, it supported Morrissey’s decision to withdraw her notice of intent to appeal.
“The FJDA remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice. There is still much work to be done in criminal court, and our office will continue to diligently prosecute cases with integrity, fairness, and commitment to the rule of law.”
The FJDA also noted how the case “sparked industry-wide scrutiny, specifically in New Mexico, of safety protocols, especially the use of firearms and live ammunition on set.”
Hutchins’ family has also pushed for “safer practices in the industry,” according to the release. They are scheduled to make a statement on the special prosecutor’s decision on Tuesday, Dec. 24, their attorney Gloria Allred said in a release shared with PEOPLE.
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Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria embrace after his involuntary manslaughter case is dismissed on July 12, 2024
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Rust movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the prop guns on the Western project, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the maximum penalty, in April.
Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident and later returned to complete filming Rust with Baldwin. The movie was released on Nov. 20.
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