US Judge Denies Alec Baldwin Bid to Dismiss 'Rust' Charge

FILE PHOTO: Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home in New York, US, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home in New York, US, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado//File Photo
TT
20

US Judge Denies Alec Baldwin Bid to Dismiss 'Rust' Charge

FILE PHOTO: Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home in New York, US, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home in New York, US, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado//File Photo

A New Mexico judge on Friday rejected Alec Baldwin's bid to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge for the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, opening the way for an unprecedented trial of a Hollywood actor for an on-set death.
Baldwin's lawyers argued at a May 17 hearing that a grand jury indictment of the actor was "a sham" as prosecutors failed to tell jurors they could question defense witnesses and stopped them hearing evidence helpful to the actor's case.
Among her arguments in a court filing, district court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said she did not find prosecutorial bad faith in the grand jury, nor error in jury instructions and prosecutors adequately advised jurors regarding a letter from Baldwin's legal team listing defense jurors they could call.
"The court finds no error in the actions taken by the prosecutor vis-a-vi the reading of the evidence letter," Marlowe Sommer, appointed by Democratic New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson in 2010, said in the filing.
The actor now faces a July 10 trial, Reuters reported.
Hutchins was shot with a live round after Baldwin pointed a gun at her as she set up a camera shot on a movie set near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The "30 Rock" actor maintains he did not pull the trigger, an assertion that has become central to the case.
Much of the differences between prosecution and defense positions are factual disputes and that is the type of case juries are meant to decide, said business and entertainment trial litigator Tre Lovell.
He is among attorneys who expect Baldwin to escape conviction, arguing he was an actor and not responsible for firearms safety, a position supported by Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA performers union.
“The real secret is educating a jury about a film set,” said Lovell.
At trial, Baldwin’s legal team must convince Santa Fe jurors there was a cascading failure in set firearms safety before the weapon was put in Baldwin’s hand.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has argued in court filings that Baldwin broke firearm safety rules by pointing the gun at Hutchins, cocking it and pulling the trigger.
Sommer sentenced "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez to 18 months prison in April after a Santa Fe jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter for loading the live round into the reproduction Colt Single Action Army revolver Baldwin was using.
Morrissey accuses Baldwin of contributing to the collapse in firearm safety protocols by being an on-set bully. At Gutierrez’s trial she showed video of him pointing his revolver at people, firing it when not supposed to, swearing at himself and others, and telling Gutierrez what to do.
"Rust" director Joel Souza and first assistant director Dave Halls have defended Baldwin's on-set behavior, characterizing it as related to the adrenaline of an "A-list" actor.
Testing of Baldwin’s revolver by the FBI and an independent firearms specialist hired by the prosecution found it would not fire without the trigger pulled.
The defense argues the hammer and trigger of the revolver were modified to make it easier to fire, allowing an accidental discharge.
Observer and attorney Rachel Fiset sees this as a risky strategy.
“What is unusual in Baldwin’s case is that the alleged malfunction was directly in line with him appearing to “intentionally” act as if he was going to shoot the gun,” adding that if the jury does not believe the modification argument, it may be devastating to Baldwin’s credibility.



Billie Eilish Takes Top Prize at American Music Awards

Billie Eilish gives acceptance speech for the Artist of the Year award virtually at the 2025 American Music Awards, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, May 26, 2025. (Reuters)
Billie Eilish gives acceptance speech for the Artist of the Year award virtually at the 2025 American Music Awards, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, May 26, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20

Billie Eilish Takes Top Prize at American Music Awards

Billie Eilish gives acceptance speech for the Artist of the Year award virtually at the 2025 American Music Awards, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, May 26, 2025. (Reuters)
Billie Eilish gives acceptance speech for the Artist of the Year award virtually at the 2025 American Music Awards, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, May 26, 2025. (Reuters)

"Birds of a Feather" singer Billie Eilish landed the top honor on Monday at the American Music Awards, winning artist of the year in Las Vegas at a red-carpet ceremony that celebrated winners selected by fan votes.

Pop singer Eilish claimed the artist prize over Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and other nominees. Eilish won all seven categories in which she was nominated, including album of the year and favorite touring artist.

"This is so crazy. I feel speechless," Eilish said in a video message from Europe, where she is on tour. "I wish I could be there tonight."

Eilish, 23, released her third studio album, "Hit Me Hard and Soft," in May 2024.

"That's So True" singer Gracie Abrams, winner of new artist of the year, also sent a recording to accept her honor. She thanked her fans, who she said "I have been lucky enough to learn from."

"They have reminded me of the light that exists out there," Abrams said.

SZA took home AMA accolades for female R&B artist and for R&B song for "Saturn." Becky G was named favorite female Latin artist.

Many big names on the nominees' list did not attend the show, which was broadcast live on CBS from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel.

One absentee was Beyonce who claimed favorite female country artist and favorite country album for "Cowboy Carter," her first AMA wins in country categories. Post Malone was named favorite male country artist.

Other no-shows included Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar.

Lamar went into the ceremony with a leading 10 nominations. He earned one award, favorite hip-hop song, for "Not Like Us."

The festivities opened with host Jennifer Lopez singing and dancing to a six-minute medley of 23 hits by the nominees. The songs included Eilish's "Birds of a Feather," Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" and Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em."

Janet Jackson was honored with the Icon award, a tribute for artists with global influence.

"I don't consider myself an icon," Jackson said on stage. "The one thing that I hope for is that I'm an inspiration for others to follow their dreams and succeed."

Eighty-year-old Rod Stewart received a lifetime achievement honor and danced and sang to his pop hit "Forever Young," which was released in 1984.

Stewart said that when he started his career "I had this burning ambition to sing."

"That's all I wanted to do. I didn't want to be rich or famous," he said.