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'The whole thing is a mess': Internet divided as charges against Alec Baldwin over Halyna Hutchins' fatal 'Rust' shooting dropped

'I always felt like someone working on the set disliked Baldwin and tried to set him up,' expressed a netizen

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Criminal charges have been dropped against Oscar-nominated Alec Baldwin over a fatal 2021 shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the movie 'Rust'. Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter after a live bullet from a prop gun fatally struck Hutchins.

The special prosecutors, Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis released a statement late Thursday, April 20, regarding the decision to drop charges saying, "Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander “Alec” Rae Baldwin, III. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going."

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Why were the charges dropped?

As per DailyMail, new evidence indicated that the firearm used by Baldwin had been modified, and prosecutors couldn't prove that it required a trigger pull in order to shoot. Shortly after the announcement was made, Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement they were “pleased with the decision to dismiss the case." “We encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” they added, as previously stated.

'He needs to be in jail'

However, the internet was quick to react and had mixed opinions. One wrote, "He needs to be in jail, what a travesty." Another wrote, "Wow. He shot someone at point blank and is walking away scot-free." On the other hand, one wrote, "The whole thing is a mess…I would really like to know how a gun fired itself?"

'Not every tragedy has guilt'

While, one of many said, "Given the safety rules on sets, the case never should have been brought against the actor, to begin with." Another wrote, "Accidents and horrible situations take place. Not every tragedy has guilt." One more pointed out by saying, "I always felt like someone working on the set disliked Baldwin and tried to set him up. Bottom line is that someone put a real bullet into that prop gun. And I don’t think it was Alec. But it needs to be investigated more thoroughly."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.