Alec Baldwin drew one step closer to trial over the fatal “Rust” shooting Thursday after a New Mexico judge set three important dates for the case — and his lawyer dropped a bombshell about a key piece of evidence that prosecutors quickly debunked.

First Judicial District Judge Mary Marlow Sommer met virtually with lawyers for Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, both of whom are charged with involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.