A New Mexico judge has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin, citing significant misconduct by the prosecution.

District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer criticized New Mexico prosecutors for what she described as 'egregious discovery violations' throughout the Rust shooting case.

Lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey faced backlash for failing to meet discovery obligations and providing inconsistent testimony regarding key evidence.

The judge found that prosecutors intentionally withheld crucial evidence from Baldwin's defense, undermining the fairness of the trial.

Sommer's ruling emphasized that the prosecution's actions compromised Baldwin's defense strategy by preventing forensic analysis of the bullets.

The dismissal of Baldwin’s case was attributed to incompetence and unconstitutional charges, leading to new special prosecutors taking over the proceedings.

The case against Baldwin was dismissed on July 12, 2024, just three days after the trial commenced, following a dramatic hearing on the mishandling of live ammunition.

Charges against Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were initially filed in January 2023 after a three-month investigation led by then-District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.

The shooting incident occurred on October 21, 2021, when Baldwin was handed a Colt .45 by assistant director David Halls, who incorrectly labeled the weapon as safe, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The ammunition provided by retired officer Troy Teske matched the live bullet that killed Hutchins, but it was not properly inventoried by the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, remains incarcerated following her conviction for voluntary manslaughter in March 2024, although she plans to appeal her 18-month sentence.