The judge in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie ‘Rust’ has dismissed the case.

1st Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer agreed with the actor’s lawyers that the prosecutors hid evidence.

“Baldwin’s attorneys had filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing state investigators did not properly share with the defense that a man had delivered a box of ammunition purportedly connected to the case to investigators,” CNN wrote.

“There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” Sommer said, according to NBC News.

“The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy,” she added.

“Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter case has been dismissed, after the judge blasted prosecutors for failing to turn over a batch of bullets to the defense.⁠ ⁠Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the case, ruling that no other sanction was sufficient,” Variety stated.

“The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide discovery to the defendant,” Sommer said, according to the outlet.

“Dismissal with prejudice is warranted,” she added.

Alec Baldwin's manslaughter case has been dismissed, after the judge blasted prosecutors for failing to turn over a batch of bullets to the defense.⁠

⁠Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the case, ruling that no other sanction was sufficient.⁠ ⁠

“The state is highly… pic.twitter.com/xVt5P2OTdY

— Variety (@Variety) July 12, 2024

Per NBC News:

The dismissal was with prejudice, meaning the involuntary manslaughter case against the actor cannot be filed again.

Baldwin, 66, sobbed and put his face in his hands as Sommer announced her decision. He then embraced his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, as lawyers and spectators started filing out of the courtroom.

Baldwin could have been sentenced to up to 18 months in prison if the jurors had unanimously agreed he committed the felony. The actor was rehearsing a scene at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County on Oct. 21, 2021, when the prop revolver he was holding went off, killing Hutchins, 42, and wounding director Joel Souza.

BREAKING: Alec Baldwin trial has collapsed.

Judge has dismissed it after new evidence emerged that had not previously been disclosed to the defence.

Alec Baldwin in tears, and hugging his legal team and wife. pic.twitter.com/Dk7hi7sPNU

— Emma Vardy (@EmmaVardyTV) July 12, 2024

WATCH:

BREAKING: Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the 'Rust' moving shooting case with prejudice against #AlecBaldwin. When Baldwin heard her ruling, he started to sob and later hugged his family. Baldwin was facing an involuntary manslaughter charge. pic.twitter.com/v9gfv2xd92

— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) July 12, 2024

CNN reports:

There were stunned faces across the courtroom as Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer abruptly started into her ruling on the motion to dismiss Alec Baldwin’s indictment.

It was unclear throughout the day whether she would make a ruling Friday or carry the decision over into next week.

The judge began with an explanation that dismissing any case requires her to read through a formal and lengthy statement.

At that moment, members of the gallery — the general public, court officers and journalists — began to turn and look at each other in disbelief that a dismissal appeared imminent.

Looks of both shock and elation began to cross the faces of some of Baldwin’s family members and his guests in the audience as the judge detailed line by line why she was throwing out the case.

Baldwin’s sister Beth wiped her eyes with a tissue.

Members of the Baldwin family cried and embraced after the judge finished her order with, “Your motion to dismiss with prejudice is granted.”