Alec Baldwin 'Rust' Shooting Case Dismissed; Can He Still Be Charged?

The Alec Baldwin "Rust" shooting case is expected to be dropped less than two weeks before the mini-trial.

After cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot and killed, the actor was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's weapons handler, will also have her charges dropped.

"We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin, and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident," the actor's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, told Yahoo.

This action occurred a month after Andrea Reeb, special prosecutor, resigned. Baldwin's lawyers claimed that her appointment was unconstitutional, considering her status as a Republican New Mexico House of Representatives lawmaker.

Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, two appointed special prosecutors, are widely anticipated to drop all charges without prejudice against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed. This means that both of them may still face charges as the inquiry progresses, although it seems improbable.

Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed lauded the appointment of new special prosecutors.

Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Were Supposed to Appear in Court

The next scheduled court date for the Alec Baldwin "Rust" shooting case was May 3, but he had already agreed not to attend the preliminary hearing.

He had entered a not guilty plea to the accusations in court papers, ABC News noted.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter for Hutchins' death on two counts.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed had their gun enhancement charges dismissed at the end of February.

A preliminary hearing for Gutierrez-Reed will begin on May 3. She has no idea how those live bullets got inside the gun, and according to her counsel, she plans to enter a not guilty plea.

Though they "fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated," her lawyers acknowledged Thursday that she still faces prosecution.

"The truth about what happened will come out, and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered," her attorneys, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in the statement.

Meanwhile, first assistant director David Halls accepted a plea deal in which he was given six months of unsupervised probation.

Halls was arrested for negligent use of a lethal weapon for allegedly passing Baldwin the Colt.45 pistol that was used in the shooting.

'Rust' Filming Resumes

After 18 months, the filming of the Western film "Rust" may start up again this week in Montana, according to the production company.

Alec Baldwin is committed to the project and will continue his role as an actor and co-producer, according to The Guardian.

Production will resume at the Yellowstone Film Ranch on Thursday, according to a statement released by attorney Melina Spadone for Rust Move Productions.

New Mexico's Department of Workplace Safety and Health and the production company settled for "severe" infractions last month.

To settle a damning safety evaluation that uncovered unheeded objections and misfires on set before the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, the firm agreed to pay a fine of $100,000.

In a proposed settlement to a wrongful death lawsuit last year, widower Matthew Hutchins discussed plans to resume filming, making him an executive producer on a revived "Rust."

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Charges dropped against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' film fatal shooting - From ABC 7