UPDATE 01/19/2024: Alec Baldwin has been in indicted for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin will defend himself after a New Mexican jury decided he had met the standards to constitute “negligent use of a firearm […] without due caution or circumspection.”
His lawyers say “we look forward to our day in court.”
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A shocking and troubling development has come to light regarding the Rust fatal shooting involving Hollywood icon Alec Baldwin and late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. An independent study has concluded that the gun did not malfunction when it went off which contradicts what was originally thought to be true.
Reed, who served as Rust’s armorer, has been charged with tampering with the gun used in the fatal shooting as well as two counts of manslaughter.
The report attached to Gutierrez Reed’s motion concluded that the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver. This finding aligns with an earlier examination by the FBI. Baldwin has repeatedly denied pulling the trigger, but the report’s findings, observations, and tests suggest otherwise.
Baldwin was originally charged with manslaughter but had the charges dismissed. However the special prosecutors did state that Baldwin was not definitely out of the clear. The prosecution has yet to make a final decision, but charges against Baldwin are still being considered.
The incident has also raised questions about how live rounds ended up on the set of the movie. Investigators have yet to determine how and why the live rounds were there.
The Rust shooting has had far-reaching implications and has sparked a larger conversation about safety on film sets. It has also resulted in legal action beyond the charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed. Baldwin has filed a lawsuit against several people associated with the film, including its armorer and first assistant director, accusing them of negligence for giving him a loaded gun on set. Gutierrez Reed has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial in December.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/16/entertainment/rust-shooting-gun-report-alec-baldwin/index.html
Alec Baldwin Indicted on Involuntary Manslaughter Charges (eonline.com)
