Alec Baldwin Reportedly Did Not Celebrate 'Rust' Trial Dismissal

Actor Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 2021 death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

However, the trial came to an abrupt end on Friday night when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided that the prosecution knew about evidence that law enforcement officials did not disclose to the defense.

The violation, which prompted special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson to quit earlier in the day - led to a dismissal with prejudice, meaning that Baldwin will no longer face criminal consequences for Hutchins' death.

Although photographs were published online that showed Alec Baldwin, his wife Hilaria Baldwin, his legal team, and a few others at a hotel bar following the end of the “Rust” trial, a source told Peoplemagazine that the couple was just “relieved that it’s over” and were not “celebrating” the end of the 3-year ordeal.

"It's been a sad situation, and there is no winning here. They didn't celebrate," the source said. "They were very worried and are grateful now that they are able to spend the rest of the summer with their kids."

One day after the shooting, the “30 Rock” actor took to Instagram to address his supporters. "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now,” he wrote at the time. “To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."

In May, only two months before the trial began, sources told People magazine that the “Beetlejuice” actor was “understandably worried” about the trial. "He has an excellent legal team. I don't think anyone is thinking jail time, but given the decision for Ms. Gutierrez-Reed, it’s hard to know,” an insider said at the time.

A few months earlier, another source told People magazine that the impending trial was “very stressful” for both Alec and his wife, Hilaria Baldwin. “They had a great Christmas and New Year. Hilaria also just turned 40. This is not how they wanted to start the new year," the source said.

In January 2023, charges were filed against the actor; however, they were dropped in April pending further investigation into the firearm. Although Baldwin maintains that he never pulled the trigger, a forensic examination done by the FBI concluded that the trigger had to have been pulled in order for the weapon to fire.

Shortly after the charges were refiled, a source told the publication that the renewed charges were "stressful for Hilaria.” They went on to say, “It’s frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment. The back and forth is hard. It’s very stressful.”

Since the shooting took place in 2021, Alec Baldwin became a grandfather when his eldest daughter, Ireland, whom he shares with ex-wife Kim Basinger, gave birth to a daughter named Holland with her boyfriend RAC. Alec and Hilaria welcomed their seventh child on September 22, 2022: a daughter named Ilaria Catalina Irena Baldwin.

Just last month, the actor took to Instagram to announce that Alec, Hilaria, and their seven children would star in their own reality series on TLC. "We're inviting you into our home to experience the ups and downs, the good, the bad, the wild and the crazy," Baldwin teased in a promotional video. The series is expected to be released in 2025.

One insider who is not connected to the “Rust” case told People magazine that Baldwin’s plans to release a reality series ahead of his involuntary manslaughter trial was “not ideal.”

"The timing of the show overlapping with the trial seems strange, but that's also life and how projects work," the insider explained. "Sometimes you just don't control the timing of when things will or will not air, and we don't know how long this was in the works."

Although many feel that the planned reality show is in poor taste, the source noted that it will have no impact on the trial. "There is still a legal process that will play out and you have to trust in that process,” the insider said.