this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2024
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The manslaughter trial against Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been dismissed. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the case over how police and prosecutors treated a handful of bullets, which they failed to turn over to the defence.

“The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide discovery to the defendant,” Judge Sommer said. “Dismissal with prejudice is warranted.” The dismissal came as a surprise as gasps were said to be heard in the courtroom and Baldwin was congratulated by his family and supporters.

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[–] AngryishHumanoid@reddthat.com 69 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Once it came out that there were live rounds found in other places that were never mentioned until now... yeah that's not a good look. And while I understand the argument that he's the producer therefore responsible for anything that happens on set they'd be setting a standard that wasn't applied in an awful lot of past on set accidents.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 19 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Which has nothing to do with this decision. This what about due process by the police, nothing to do with actual fault.

As producer he should still hold the final culpability of anyone and anything on site. It would be like letting the owner of a company walk on a technicality, he’s still responsible in the end.

[–] Infynis@midwest.social 59 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It would be like letting the owner of a company walk...

So standard practice

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world -1 points 4 months ago

In Canada there’s laws that can hold the owner accountable for stuff like this.

Bill C45 in Canada

[–] AngryishHumanoid@reddthat.com 19 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Sorry I thought I was making it clear that the dismissal was due to the negligence of the police, but even if it had gone to trial it was still an uphill battle to claim his responsibility as producer. If the armorer could be proven to have been a bad hire it could have fallen on him, maybe, but if the production could prove that they took reasonable steps to see if she was qualified but were sadly mistaken that would make it hard to prove negligence.

Personally I would rather it had gone to trial and given the full chance under the law to prove innocence or guilt, dismissal with prejudice is not the same thing as a finding of not guilty even if the result is the same.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world -1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

It’s interesting seeing the law differences, in Canada this would be considered criminal and anyone up to the owner can be held accountable. I think it’s only been used and upheld a few times though.

Westray bill c45

Edit, looks like it’s been used more since I checked last.

[–] protist@mander.xyz 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

As producer he should still hold the final culpability of anyone and anything on site. It would be like letting the owner of a company walk on a technicality, he’s still responsible in the end.

What you're describing would be civil liability, not criminal. It would potentially be criminal if a supervisor knew one of their direct reports was doing something illegal and condoned it or did nothing, but that doesn't seem to be the case here

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world -5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

In Canada it would be criminal and not civil.

It comes down to who has direct authority over someone though iirc.

[–] protist@mander.xyz 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I bet Canada's putting a ton of CEOs in jail, right?

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world -1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The link actually includes everyone who has been charged under the bill if you read it!

[–] protist@mander.xyz 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

So no CEOs in jail, because the only penalty from a criminal conviction under this statute is a fine

[–] Arbiter@lemmy.world -2 points 4 months ago

I’m glad someone has and enforces some sane laws.

[–] PunnyName@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

What about the people who actually committed the crime?