Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Indictment Against Alec Baldwin in Rust Shooting Case

Alec Baldwin's lawyers have accused prosecutors of violating nearly every rule in the book by failing to provide exculpatory evidence to jurors. However, special prosecutors have denied these accusations and claimed that Baldwin made shameless attempts to escape culpability. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has upheld an indictment against Baldwin, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident occurred during a rehearsal on the set of Rust, a Western being filmed in New Mexico, where Hutchins was shot and killed by a gun Baldwin was using. Baldwin's attorneys had previously accused prosecutors of misconduct during the grand jury process, but Judge Sommer found no prosecutorial bad faith or error in jury instructions. She also noted that under New Mexico law, prosecutors are not required to present exculpatory evidence to a grand jury. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and is scheduled to stand trial in July.