Alec Baldwin's Rust involuntary manslaughter trial has been dismissed

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Alec Baldwin's upcoming trial in the Rust shooting has been postponed pending a judge's appointment.

The 65-year-old actor pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins and was due to go on trial on August 6.

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However, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, the judge's appointment took place, causing the First Judicial District Court to remove the Aug. 6 jury selection date and prevent a trial date, according to Entertainment Tonight.

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The former 30 rock star was found not guilty last week and has been released without bail, but New Mexico judge T. Glenn Ellington set conditions that he had to meet.

Under the terms of his release, he cannot possess firearms or drink alcohol and must not have contact with witnesses in the case except for business reasons related to Rust's release.

The judge's statement read: “Defendant will be permitted to have contact with potential witnesses only as provided herein: in connection with the movie Rust and other related and unrelated business matters: provided, however, that defendant is not permitted to discuss the accident.” issue or the value of his or a witness's possible testimony in this case.

“'Related Business Matters' is for film promotion and other similar activities.

“'Unrelated business matters' are intended to capture any other business dealings between Baldwin and any witnesses.

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“The defendant is authorized to continue using Matthew DelPiano as his agent.

“Discussions of the incident with witnesses named as civil defendants are allowed only if such conversations are conducted only in the presence of lawyers for the purpose of civil litigation.”

Baldwin was also ordered to “not directly or indirectly invite witnesses or cast and crew members to participate in a documentary featuring Moxie Films or to obtain statements regarding the security of the Rust set outside of standard investigative procedures.”

This is the second time the Boss Baby actor has been charged in the death of Hutchins, 42, after the original charges were dropped in April 2023.

Prosecutors filed the new charges after receiving evidence based on a forensic examination of the gun, and Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

The film's director, Joel Souza, 50, was also shot in the shoulder with the same bullet that killed Hutchins.

Baldwin said he did not pull the trigger, but a test ordered by special prosecutors concluded that the Colt 45 could only be fired by pulling the trigger.

Baldwin's attorneys are likely to dispute that finding, noting that the weapon was broken during a previous test firing at an FBI lab.

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