In a recent development in the case of the fatal shooting on the set of the Western movie “Rust”, defense attorneys for Alec Baldwin have urged a New Mexico judge to dismiss the grand jury indictment against the actor. The indictment, which was issued in January, charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charge. His attorneys have now filed a motion accusing prosecutors of unfairly stacking the deck against Baldwin in the grand jury proceedings. They claim that the jury was not presented with exculpatory evidence and witnesses, including director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, and assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls and props master Sarah Zachry.
According to the defense, this prevented the jury from fulfilling their obligation to hear all relevant testimony and review all necessary documents. They also assert that the grand jury received inaccurate and one-sided testimony about the revolver involved in the shooting.
The armorer on the set of “Rust”, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was recently convicted by a jury for her role in the shooting and is currently awaiting sentencing. Involuntary manslaughter carries a felony sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, when Baldwin was pointing a gun at Hutchins and the revolver went off, killing her and injuring Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the gun’s hammer, but not the trigger. Prosecutors, however, have blamed Gutierrez-Reed for bringing live ammunition onto the set and failing to follow basic gun-safety protocols.
In a two-week trial, Halls also pleaded no contest to negligent handling of a firearm and completed a sentence of six months of unsupervised probation.
Baldwin’s attorneys argue that the grand jury was not given the full picture of what happened on the set of “Rust” and that the actor should not be held solely responsible for the tragic incident. They also point out that the grand jury was not informed of their right to request and review all relevant information.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey declined to comment on the motion, but has stated that a response will be filed with the court.
Baldwin’s trial is currently scheduled for July, and his attorneys are hopeful that the judge will dismiss the indictment, allowing the actor to move on from this tragic event.
The shooting on the set of “Rust” has brought attention to the importance of safety protocols on film sets and the need for stricter regulations in the handling of firearms. It has also sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of all individuals involved in the production of a film.
As we await the decision of the judge on Baldwin’s motion, let us remember Halyna Hutchins and her family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
