Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2024/07/13/judge-dismisses-manslaughter-charges-against-alec-baldwin.html
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I don’t know how to feel about this whole thing. Having it end with a prosecutorial error doesn’t help.
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I feel like Alec Baldwin, the producer, had a lot to answer for with the all of the cost-cutting on tasking enough employees to work on the set as well as on the safety measures. Then there’s the additional pressure he put on his employees performing a sensitive job.
What I got from the news about the trial was about Alec Baldwin, the actor, failing to perform a few last-minute checks and about the Sheriff’s office not disclosing evidence favourable to the defendant like where those live rounds came from.
Well, a defendant is still innocent until proven guilty and a fair trial is a cornerstone of the legal system (in theory) but I feel Alec Baldwin is going to learn nothing from this.
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He was also horse playing with the gun, including aiming it AT people and that sort of thing, by some accounts. He ignored safety training on set, too.
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There’s no reason why this outcome in the criminal trial would affect the civil trials.
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Civil trial has already ended with a settlement though.
this doesnt sound like an “error”;
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From the news coverage yesterday it seemed like the prosecution was doing a really shitty job all around.
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Yeah same. It showed me how much I really do trust the process to inform my decision. Now it’s back to me having to figure it out while knowing almost zero of the truth.
But here I go anyway!
Ugh . I’ll just wait for the mini series. 
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New Mexico has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. Fast, loose, and shady prosecution is a feature that works really well with those who can’t afford a good lawyer.
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And those who can afford a good lawyer.
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On the upside, I doubt he will ever be given another chance to produce a movie.
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The indictment was a wild overreach to begin with.
Civil liability is unquestioned here.
Criminal liability is a lot more dicey.
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Who knows, but he did actually stay on as producer for Rust and wrapped up filming 19 months after the shooting, so I wouldn’t be too certain about anything.
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An incomplete production is a total loss. A finished one has a chance to recoup its budget.
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We know he was aiming at people, because that’s how he shot the people. He pointed it at them and pulled the trigger.
That depends upon the insurance coverage.
I have no idea how rich Baldwin is - but some can fund themselves. If they have to.
Edit:
It looks like they had liability insurance for $6million.
But no completion bond.
The damages to the victims family may be covered. But the investors are shit out of luck.
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I’m still at a complete loss as to why anyone would let live rounds anywhere near a movie set. I understand from another article that another actor had live rounds in his gun belt. For crying out loud.
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Wikipedia says that the whole production budget of Rust was only about $7M, probably because they saved money by hiring bargain-basement armorers and “local talent” rather than a ton of expensive professionals. So yeah, that’s likely well within the ability of someone like Baldwin to self-finance.
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OTOH nothing happened to John Landis or Stephen Spielberg after three people died making the ’80s “Twilight Zone” movie
barely a footnote on their careers now 
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