A grand jury indicted Alec Baldwin on Friday for involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal shooting during a 2021 movie set rehearsal in New Mexico. This charge brings back attention to the case against the well-known actor.
A grand jury indicted Alec Baldwin on Friday for involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal shooting during a 2021 movie set rehearsal in New Mexico. This charge brings back attention to the case against the well-known actor.
Special prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury in Santa Fe this week after getting a new analysis of the gun used. They spent about a day and a half explaining their case and chose not to answer questions afterward.
Baldwin’s defense attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, have expressed their intent to challenge the charge, stating, “We look forward to our day in court” in an email.
While the details of the legal proceedings are not fully disclosed, two witnesses seen at the courthouse were crew members. One was present during the fatal shot, and the other had left the set the day before due to safety concerns.
During a rehearsal for the movie “Rust” in October 2021, Alec Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer, unintentionally discharged a gun. This tragic incident resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuries to director Joel Souza. Baldwin has explained that he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger, and the gun unexpectedly fired.
Alec Baldwin is once again dealing with legal issues, and this time it could lead to prison for the actor with almost 40 years of experience in TV and movies. He’s been part of major productions like “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Departed,” and “30 Rock.”
The charge against him gives prosecutors two options. One is about the gun being used carelessly, and the other is about serious misconduct that shows no concern for others’ safety.
Judges have recently agreed to temporarily halt several lawsuits where people are seeking compensation from Alec Baldwin and the producers of “Rust.” This decision came after prosecutors announced their plan to present the case to a grand jury. Those filing these lawsuits include members of the film crew.
Gloria Allred, an attorney based in Los Angeles, is representing the parents and sister of the cinematographer who tragically passed away in a civil case. She stated that her clients are seeking the truth about the events leading to Halyna Hutchins’ death and are eagerly awaiting Alec Baldwin’s trial.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of the West Coast Trial Lawyers firm in Los Angeles, highlighted past mistakes made by prosecutors. Rahmani emphasized that to build a case against Baldwin for a broader responsibility in handling the gun on the set, prosecutors will need more than just presenting ballistics evidence.
Special prosecutors initially dismissed a charge against Alec Baldwin in April, citing the possibility that the gun might have been modified and malfunctioned. However, they reevaluated their decision after receiving a new analysis of the gun.
Experts, including Lucien Haag from Forensic Science Services in Arizona, examined the gun Baldwin used. They utilized replacement parts because some parts were damaged during FBI testing. The analysis considered the gun and markings on a spent cartridge, concluding that the trigger had to be pulled or depressed.
Despite Baldwin’s denials of pulling the trigger, the evidence from the analysis suggests otherwise, indicating that the trigger had to be pulled or depressed to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the revolver.
The individual responsible for weapons on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. Her trial is scheduled to begin in February.
David Halls, an assistant director and safety coordinator for “Rust,” admitted to mishandling a firearm last March, receiving six months of probation with a suspended sentence. He also agreed to cooperate in the investigation.
According to an FBI report, the gun involved in the incident could accidentally discharge, a common occurrence with firearms of that design. The gun broke during testing.
The 2021 shooting resulted in civil lawsuits, including wrongful death claims. The allegations focus on lax safety standards, contested by Alec Baldwin and other defendants.
Rust Movie Productions paid a $100,000 fine for workplace safety violations. Filming resumed in Montana last year with an agreement involving the cinematographer’s widower, Matthew Hutchins, who became an executive producer.