ALEC BALDWIN WALKS FREE AFTER CASE DISMISSED Hollywood Ending
Hollywood Ending When the third day of Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico began, it became apparent that something was amiss. The defense attorneys had something important to bring to the court’s attention. Assistant District Attorney Erlinda Johnson was absent. As it turned out, she had resigned from the case after allegations that Santa Fe police, in conjunction with Special Prosecutor Kari Morrisey, had conspired to hide evidence from the defense. The evidence in question was a case of ammunition matching those retrieved from the set of “Rust.” The ammunition was given to Santa Fe police before the trial, but it was filed under a separate case number — even though the witness who handed in the evidence claimed it was relevant to the “Rust” trial. In light of these revelations, Santa Fe County District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice. Throughout the day, as the camera centered on Hollywood star- turned-defendant Alec Baldwin, viewers were treated to his wide range of emotions: first, annoyance, then sadness, and, finally, tearful relief. This was his Hollywood ending.
About three years ago, on Oct. 21, 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by a live round fired by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie “Rust.” You might believe this would be an open-and-shut manslaughter case. However, just like the scenes Hutchins brilliantly captured on film, this scene was more complex and layered than you may expect. Baldwin’s trial was dismissed just three days after it began, on July 13, 2024. Ironically, but perhaps fittingly, Baldwin’s criminal case came to a dramatic, Hollywood-esque conclusion. Is the armorer to blame? Previously, in May, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the film, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The jury deliberated for just three hours before passing judgment; evidence revealing Gutierrez-Reed loaded the gun that killed Hutchins likely contributed to the swift decision. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison but has appealed, and what happened in July in Alec Baldwin’s trial may affect the outcome of that appeal.
No Workers’ Comp?
Here’s How to Check Your Company’s Status
Getting injured on the job can be stressful enough without wondering if your employer will have your back. Unlike most states, Texas does not require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which benefits workers hurt or injured due to their jobs. Companies, often big box names like Walmart or Amazon, can opt-out, making them “nonsubscribers.” Knowing which your company is will help you determine if you need to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your injuries. Check HR or the Break Room Bulletin Companies must legally inform their employees about their workers’ compensation status. Your workplace has to post a notice somewhere on site, typically in a break room, where you may find other important information like the Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage) and the
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Your company’s Human Resources Department should also be able to provide you with that information. If they don’t have workers’ compensation, you will not automatically receive any benefits for your injuries. Contact the Texas Department of Insurance Nonsubscriber companies must register with the state through the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, and notify employees. The department shares monthly reports of all the companies that have opted out of worker’s compensation. You can also search for your workplace on the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation’s website at tdi.texas.gov/wc/employer/ coverage . If you can’t determine if your employer has workers’ compensation,
you can email the department at Coverage.Verfication@tdi.texas.gov . Consult an Experienced Lawyer If you need help understanding what kind of injury coverage your employer provides, contacting a Texas lawyer with experience with non-subscriber cases is beneficial. Though workers’ comp is often viewed as a safety net for employees, providing benefits like lost wages and medical treatment, you could reach a higher settlement by filing a personal injury claim. If you win your lawsuit, you could also receive additional compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress, and you have the right to fight for punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence.
Contact Armstrong Law for a free initial consultation if you have been hurt on the job.
2
214-932-1288
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator