In a significant legal development, a New Mexico judge has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin, who faced charges related to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film \"Rust\" in 2021. Judge Mary Marlow Sommer ruled in favor of Baldwin's defense, which argued that prosecutors failed to disclose crucial evidence regarding the ammunition involved in the incident. Baldwin, who maintained his innocence and claimed he was unaware that the revolver contained a live round, could have faced up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
In another poignant announcement, officials in Tulsa, Oklahoma, identified the first victim from a mass grave linked to the 1921 race massacre that devastated the city's Black community, known as Black Wall Street. C.L. Daniel, a World War I veteran, was among the estimated 300 individuals killed during the racially motivated violence. Forensic experts have been working to identify remains from over 120 graves discovered since 2020, and city officials expressed hope that this identification would provide closure to Daniel's family after more than a century of uncertainty.
On Wall Street, stocks surged as investors anticipated potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in September. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time high, closing just above the 40,000-point mark, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also posted significant gains.
In healthcare news, Gail Walensky, who oversaw Medicare and Medicaid during President George H.W. Bush's administration, has passed away at the age of 81. Walensky was a prominent figure in discussions surrounding healthcare policy, including the Affordable Care Act.
In Milwaukee, police have referred felony murder charges in the case of Davontae Mitchell, a Black man who died after being restrained by security guards outside a hotel. Eyewitness accounts and disturbing video footage have drawn comparisons to the George Floyd case, raising questions about the use of force, particularly in situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. Attorney Ben Crump, representing Mitchell's family, emphasized the need for accountability and justice, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equal treatment in the legal system for Black individuals.