Actor Alec Baldwin Freed From Intentional Murder Indictment

Alec Baldwin and wife. (Doc. Instagram/@alecbaldwininsta)

JAKARTA - Hollywood veteran actor Alec Baldwin has finally been acquitted of an accidental murder charge of the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the 2021 film "Rust".

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer of New Mexico decided to reject the charges after Baldwin's lawyers accused prosecutors and police of hiding important evidence. The evidence is in the form of live ammunition suspected of being the cause of Hutchins' death.

The surprise came as it was revealed that the Santa Fe Sheriff's office had received the live ammunition in March but did not put it in the "Rust" investigation file and did not tell Baldwin's team of lawyers.

"The detention of evidence by the state is intentional and planned," said the judge when reading his decision, reported by Reuters, Saturday, July 13.

"The cancellation of the indictment is needed to maintain the integrity of the justice system and the efficient implementation of the law," he added.

This decision ended a legal drama that lasted for 18 months. Jack Ryan's role in the film The Hunt for Red October (1990) looks emotional and hugs his wife after the verdict was read, previously he was labeled the main actor by the prosecutor. Baldwin's attorney called this indictment an "unprofessional gathering."

In addition to hiding evidence, prosecutors are also faced with the resignation of four prosecutors, including the main prosecutor, Erlinda Johnson, who resigned on the same day.

Legal analysts argue that this case should not have been brought to trial from the start.

"The prosecutor feels the need to cheat to get the results they want," said legal analyst Duncan Levin.

"This is the worst example of our legal system," he added.

It is known that Halyna Hutchins was shot dead while filming the film "Rust". Baldwin, who was practicing the scene, did not know that the weapon she was holding contained live bullets.

Meanwhile, a property assistant named Hannah Gutierrez has been convicted of an accidental murder for the death of Hutchins.