Alec Baldwin is charged with murder again after shooting on the set of Rust

Actor Alec Baldwin is facing a new manslaughter charge for the 2021 fatal shooting that claimed the cinematographer’s life while filming the film Rust.

A grand jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico, indicted Baldwin last Friday, months after prosecutors previously dismissed the same charge, according to reported by the Guardian.

Let’s remember the case of the fatal shooting on the set of Rust in 2021

During an October 2021 rehearsal on the set of Rust, a Western drama, Baldwin pointed a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, resulting in an accidental shooting that resulted in the death of Hutchins and the wounding of Joel Souza, the director of movie.

Baldwin, who is also a co-producer and star of the film, said he did not pull the trigger, but rather pulled the lever of the gun before it fired.

In April last year, special prosecutors dropped the manslaughter charge against Baldwin, saying the gun may have been modified before the crash, possibly malfunctioning, and that further forensic analysis was needed. However, in August, prosecutors announced they were considering reopening the charges after a new analysis of the gun.

A report prepared by experts in ballistics and forensic testing, at the request of prosecutors, stated: “Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denied pulling the trigger, given the tests, results and observations reported herein, the trigger must have been pulled or pressed enough to release the fully cocked or retractable hammer of the weapon presented as evidence.”

Baldwin is again indicted for manslaughter

Prosecutors presented the new case before a grand jury in Santa Fe this week.

“We look forward to our day in court,” Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, Baldwin’s defense attorneys, said in an email late Friday.

Baldwin and his co-producers are also facing civil lawsuits seeking financial compensation brought by members of Rust’s team, but judges have put those cases on hold while the criminal case continues.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, a weapons supervisor for Rust, was previously charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Her trial is scheduled for February.

Gutierrez-Reed pleaded not guilty last year. Prosecutors allege she acted recklessly in handing the loaded gun to Baldwin on the set and accused her of failing to ensure all shots from the gun were practice shots. Lei Gutierrez-Reed was also accused of drinking the night before the fatal crash, with prosecutors suggesting she had a hangover during the shooting.

The tampering with evidence charge stems from allegations that Gutierrez-Reed gave a small amount of cocaine to another person after being questioned by police.

Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyers, who had previously asked for manslaughter charges against her to be dismissed, accused prosecutors of mishandling the case and attempted “character killing” of their client.

A former special prosecutor in charge of the case resigned last year after Baldwin’s lawyers called for his removal due to his role as a state representative in the Legislature.

David Halls, the film’s assistant director and security coordinator, pleaded no contest to improper use of a weapon last March. He cooperated with the investigation and was sentenced to six months’ probation. He and Baldwin claimed they didn’t know there were live bullets in the gun.

When the charges against Baldwin were dropped last year, Halls’ attorney said: “Mr. Halls never believed that Mr. Baldwin should be charged with a crime. This was a tragic incident best resolved outside of criminal court.”

Repercussions in Hollywood

Film production company Rust also paid a $100,000 fine to New Mexico workplace safety regulators. The company was accused of violating industry protocols and failing to address issues that arose after two accidental shootings on set before Hutchins’ death.

Rust production resumed in April last year. Matthew Hutchins, husband of the late cinematographer, negotiated a deal to become the film’s executive producer.

The tragedy had repercussions in Hollywood and led to improvements in gun safety, industry experts said.

The post Alec Baldwin Charged with Murder Again After Shooting on Rust Set appeared first on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.