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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 message of support 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.
