Alec Baldwin’s RUST Case to Reopen with New Evidence
By Movieguide® Contributor
New evidence in the RUST shooting investigation places culpability on Alec Baldwin, reopening his manslaughter case, which was dropped nearly six months ago.
“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” said Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis.
“We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial,” they said earlier in the week.
While Baldwin and his legal team have asserted that he did not pull the trigger on the gun – and is therefore not liable for the accident – both the FBI and independent weapons examiners have confirmed that the trigger had to have been pulled for the gun to go off.
“Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,” a special prosecutors report from August 2 said.
Baldwin’s legal team, meanwhile, has continued to dispute the new evidence and is disappointed by the refiling of the case.
“It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution,” said Baldwin’s lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Sairo. “We will answer any charges in court.”
Along with the new evidence, the prosecutors are also interested in Baldwin’s producer role on the movie. RUST’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed claimed earlier this month that she was denied a request for additional safety training days with the cast and crew.
“Ms. Gutierrez asserts that it is her belief these requests were denied for financial/budgetary reasons,” the special prosecution said earlier this month.
Gutierrez-Reed is currently facing a second-degree involuntary manslaughter charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Baldwin will likely face the same charge as his case returns to court.
Movieguide® previously reported:
New evidence in the RUST shooting case could cause prosecutors to file new charges against Alec Baldwin.
The involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor were dropped earlier this year because prosecutors wanted more time to examine the gun used on set…
While rehearsing for the upcoming Western RUST on location in New Mexico, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a gun, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza.
Baldwin’s defense against the crime remains the gun fired while in his hand because of improper modifications, but he did not pull the trigger, Yahoo! Reported.
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