Alec Baldwin looked relieved Friday evening as he headed out for dinner after a New Mexico judge dropped the involuntary manslaughter charges against him over the 2021 “Rust” shooting that left cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead.
The “30 Rock” star, 66, smiled with his entourage — including younger brother Stephen, 58 — outside Casa Chimayo restaurant in Santa Fe, photos showed.
The actor had changed from the suit and tie he wore in court that day into a more casual black T-shirt and navy blue blazer.
Just a few hours earlier, Baldwin broke down in tears when the judge suddenly threw out the involuntary manslaughter charges against him related to the Oct. 21, 2021, shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his Western “Rust.”
The dad of eight was spotted hugging his wife Hilaria Baldwin before the couple climbed into an SUV.
The pair — currently filming “The Baldwins,” a reality series for TLC about life with their brood — has yet to release a statement about the sudden reversal.
A lawyer for Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, said the family respected the court’s decision — but still hoped to hold Baldwin responsible for the on-set tragedy.
“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,” the attorney, Brian J. Panish, told Deadline, referring to the civil litigation.
If convicted, Baldwin faced up to 18 months behind bars for firing the gun that shot and killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.
During Friday’s proceedings, the judge slammed prosecutors for “willfully” withholding key ammunition evidence from the defense.
Defense attorney Alex Spiro claimed during the hearing that a “good Samaritan” brought in bullets said to be those that killed Hutchins to the sheriff’s department — after set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had already been sentenced to 18 months behind bars.
Baldwin — who has repeatedly maintained his innocence — settled a wrongful death suit with Matthew Hutchins in 2023.
Under the judge’s Friday ruling, the charges against the “Saturday Night Live” regular cannot be filed again.
#Smiling #Alec #Baldwin #heads #dinner #Rust #charges #tossed,
#Smiling #Alec #Baldwin #heads #dinner #Rust #charges #tossed