Alec Baldwin's request to dismiss manslaughter indictment denied by judge in “Rust” case

The actor is facing one criminal charge in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, with a trial slated for July.

Alec Baldwin's effort to dismiss the charge of involuntary manslaughter he faces in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust has been denied by a judge in New Mexico.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected each of Baldwin's lawyers' arguments for dismissal on Friday, according to the Associated Press, thereby upholding the indictment charging the actor with one count of involuntary manslaughter. The ruling increases the likelihood that Baldwin will stand trial this summer.

Reached for comment on the decision, Baldwin's attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro told Entertainment Weekly, "We look forward to our day in court."

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The special prosecutors assigned to the case, Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, didn't immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

Hutchins was killed and Rust director Joel Souza was wounded on Oct. 21, 2021, during production of the Western film, when a gun being held by Baldwin discharged. The actor, who was also serving as a producer on the film, had been told the gun was "cold," meaning it did not contain live ammunition, according to an affidavit. Baldwin has also maintained that he did not pull the trigger.

Baldwin, 66, was indicted by a grand jury in January, after prosecutors had dropped a previous manslaughter charge. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in July.

Related: Rust weapons supervisor convicted of involuntary manslaughter in fatal shooting on set

Baldwin's legal team filed to dismiss the renewed charge in March, accusing prosecutors of "unethical disparagement" and "violating nearly every rule in the book" in pursuit of a grand jury indictment.

The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in April and sentenced to the maximum of 18 months in prison. She appealed the conviction earlier this month.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.