Alec Baldwin was overcome with emotion as the involuntary manslaughter case against him was dismissed. The trial, concerning the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, ended after just a week of testimony.

The decision came from Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who cited misconduct by police and prosecutors, specifically the withholding of evidence from Baldwin’s defense team. This ruling means Baldwin cannot be charged again in Hutchins’ death.

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nearly three years have passed since the incident during a rehearsal on the set of the film “Rust,” where a prop gun Baldwin was holding discharged, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin, who faced an 18-month prison sentence, is now free of charges.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the film, had already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Her attorney has announced plans to seek dismissal of her case as well.

As Baldwin embraced his attorneys and his wife Hilaria in the courtroom, the emotional conclusion to the trial marked a significant turn in a case that has captivated public attention.