Alec Baldwin’s Wife Hilaria, with Tears in Her Eyes, Hugs Him After His Lawyers Ask Judge to Dismiss Case

Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from his role in the fatal shooting of ‘Rust’ cinematographer Halyna Hutchins

Alec Baldwin’s wife Hilaria seemed overcome with emotion on Friday, July 12, shortly after the actor’s defense team asked the judge to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge against him.

During a break in court proceedings, Baldwin, 66 — who is on trial for his role in the accidental and fatal on-set shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in New Mexico in 2021 — and Hilaria, 40, left the courtroom and reentered a short time later.

Baldwin sat beside his wife in the chairs behind his legal team. Hilaria, with tears in her eyes, hugged her husband for several minutes as she stroked his arm and back. They whispered to each other intimately before Hilaria left the room again.

She returned with a Starbucks cup and conferred quietly with Baldwin again. They once again embraced before Baldwin turned back to his defense team.

Earlier on Friday, before the jury was brought into the courtroom, Baldwin attorney Luke Nikas asked Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer to drop the case against Baldwin, claiming that prosecutors never notified the defense of ammunition possibly related to the fatal shooting.

“We’re talking about a prosecution that didn’t preserve those bullets, that didn’t collect them at all. That didn’t turn them over,” he said. “This is critical evidence in the case that was never disclosed to us… We were entitled to it,” said Nikas. “This case should be dismissed, Your Honor.”

Sommer called in the jury to tell them they were dismissed for the day so she could hear more testimony related to the defense’s request.

Baldwin, who was indicted by a grand jury in January, was rehearsing a scene on the set of the Western when the gun he was holding discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza, who recovered from his wounds. Baldwin has insisted he did not pull the trigger or know how the gun contained live ammunition.

He has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 18 months if convicted. His trial is scheduled to last until Friday, July 19.

Baldwin’s brother, Stephen, who has also been showing his support in court, seemed confident the Emmy winner would be not face a trial going forward.

“It’s going to be dismissed,” he told someone in the hallway outside of the courtroom. He could also be heard saying on a call, “Some extremely positive events occurring. Thank you for your prayers.”