Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case over the Rust shooting was thrown out mid-trial on July 12. Halyna Hutchins’s widower still wants to hold the actor “accountable” in front of a jury, but others celebrated the news. Below, the latest reactions to the dismissal, including Baldwin’s first public statement after the trial and comments from his celebrity supporters.
Day-of responses
July 12, 2024: Reactions to the July 12 dismissal of Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter case are trickling in. Deadline reports that Matthew Hutchins, the widower of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, still wants Baldwin back in court for fatally shooting her on set in 2021. “We respect the court’s decision,” Hutchins’s lawyer Brian J. Panish told Deadline of the criminal case that was dismissed with prejudice, which means it cannot be filed again. “We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins,” Panish added, which seems to suggest that Hutchins will still pursue justice in civil court. In June, Panish claimed to the New York Times that Baldwin and other parties were months late on a settlement payment for a wrongful-death civil lawsuit brought in 2022 over the Rust tragedy. At the time, Panish said Hutchins was considering suing for breach of agreement or resuming the wrongful-death suit.
Meanwhile, Baldwin’s supporters have rejoiced at today’s news. “Hallelujah @AlecBaldwin You are free!! #CourtTV,” his Rust co-star Frances Fisher tweeted. The actress has previously been vocal about her support for Baldwin, tweeting in January 2023 that the “grandstanding prosecutor” wasn’t going after the “true culprit” who “put a live round in a gun.” As of publication time, neither Baldwin nor his wife Hilaria have publicly posted about the dismissal that had him crying in court. Fisher left a celebratory message under Baldwin’s wife Hilaria’s latest Instagram post, commenting, “Hallelujah Hilaria💕.” Actress and songwriter Apollonia Kotero similarly showed her support on Instagram, commenting “💜🙏🏽Amen Alec!! Felicidades!!” under Baldwin’s most recent post.
Alec Baldwin takes to Instagram
July 13, 2024: Alec Baldwin has issued his first public statement since his involuntary manslaughter case was dismissed. “There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now,” he captioned an Instagram photo of himself looking emotional in court. “To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.”
Several fellow celebs sent well wishes under the post, which comes a day after the Rust trial was thrown out. “We love you❤️❤️❤️,” Amy Sedaris wrote, while Don Lemon and Anthony Hopkins both left heart emojis. “I cannot express how happy and grateful I feel for you and your beautiful family! ❤️❤️,” Lesley Ann Warren said. “Make peace with yourself and may you and your family heal from this. 🙏,” Frank Grillo added. Other supporters in the comments include Caroline Rhea, Craig Killborn, Gregory Lauritano, and Mike Hatton. Baldwin’s Rust co-star Frances Fisher, who already shared multiple congratulatory messages on the day of the dismissal, also posted a new comment: “Whatever comes next, we are by your side, Alec. ✊🏽”
This post has been updated.
