Judge in Alec Baldwin’s Manslaughter Case Rips Prosecutors for Withholding Evidence
First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer issued an order last week slamming prosecutors for “intentionally and deliberately” withholding important evidence.
The judge in Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter case has condemned prosecutors for misconduct in new documents.
According to the documents that TMZ obtained, First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer wrote in an order issued last week that the prosecution team “intentionally and deliberately” withheld important evidence from Baldwin’s team.
Judge Sommer found that lead special prosecutor Kari Morrisey didn't just repeatedly fail to execute discovery obligations, she also gave “inconsistent” testimony about the evidence she’s accused of suppressing in the New Mexico case.
Last January, Baldwin accidentally shot and killed Halyna Hutchins, the director of photography for Rust, when he discharged a Pietta .45 Colt revolver that he was told had no ammunition.
He was eventually charged with involuntary manslaughter, pleaded not guilty, and faced up to 18 months in prison if he was convicted. He was all set to go to trial — but Judge Sommer dismissed the case due to evidence issues.
“The late discovery of this evidence has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” stated Judge Sommer in her dismissal of the case. “There is no way for the court to right this wrong. The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy.”
Baldwin was emotional and broke down in tears as Sommer dismissed the case — but then he went on the offensive by giving notice to the prosecutor (and Santa Fe sheriff Adan Mendoza) to keep hold of all relevant information from the dismissed trial.
TMZ reported that Baldwin’s legal team sent preservation notices that asked for all emails, text messages, documents, records, hard drives, and other materials about the investigation to be saved.
Back in April, Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of Hutchins and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
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