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ALEC BALDWIN LIED ABOUT ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING THAT KILLED CINEMATOGRAPHER, CLAIMS PROSECUTION

The prosecutor allegedly called out Baldwin's lies and alleged that it was the actor's conduct that led to the tragedy on 'Rust' set.

BY SOMDATTA MAITY

UPDATED APR 19, 2024

Cover Image Source: LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Alec Baldwin poses in the press room at the 69th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

Back in 2021 when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot dead and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of Alec Baldwin's movie "Rust," it was reported that the firearm was triggered by mistake. But now the prosecution is claiming that Baldwin lied about his negligence and had no control over his emotions, all of which resulted in Hutchins being fatally shot. He is now set to go on trial under the charges of manslaughter for his actions in the movie "Rust," although he has pleaded not guilty, as per CBS News. The incident had sent shockwaves throughout the industry, with people asking for more stringent rules to prevent a mishap of such kind. Experts came out to argue against the backlash claiming that rules were always in place but the production team of this movie in particular refused to comply with them. Now details have emerged about Baldwin's erratic behavior, which included cursing at himself and the crew. As a producer, he also hired an inexperienced armorer to handle all the guns on set, while the rest of the crew warned that she was overwhelmed.

Image Source: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 06: Alec Baldwin speaks onstage at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala)

The prosecution after analyzing all the facts decided to go through with a case against the armorer Hannah Gutierrez along with actor Alec Baldwin, since she loaded the live round which Baldwin allegedly shot. Last month Gutierrez was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is facing up to 18 months in prison.

Image Source: PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 23: Alec Baldwin attends Sundance Institute's 'An Artist at the Table Presented by IMDbPro' at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2020 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb)

The case against Baldwin is set to go on trial in July. The prosecutors will focus on showing how Baldwin's actions on the set led to this tragedy. The veteran actor and producer was rehearsing for a scene with Colt .45 when it suddenly went off. The team seeks to prove that the actor was not in the proper state of mind to handle such a firearm and still went ahead, putting people around him in danger.

Image Source: MANCHESTER, VT - OCTOBER 30: Hilaria Baldwin and Alec Baldwin speak for the first time regarding the accidental shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and wounded director Joel Souza on the set of the film "Rust", on October 30, 2021 in Manchester, Vermont. The actor, his wife and children pulled over to the side of the road and gave an unscheduled statement after being pursued by photographers and members of the press. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)

The prosecution have also claimed that they have witnesses who can testify that such conduct on Baldwin's part led to compromises being made about the safety of others on the set, as per BBC.

The prosecutor Morrissey blames both Gutierrez and Baldwin for causing Hutchins' death and wants the court to give them a fitting punishment for manslaughter. "The combination of Hannah Gutierrez's negligence and inexperience as well as Alec Baldwin's complete lack of concern for the safety of those around him would prove deadly," Morrissey wrote. The prosecutor also called out the lies she believes Baldwin has been spewing in his interviews ever since the incident came to light. In one such sit down interview with ABC journalist George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin had claimed for the first time that he never pulled the trigger and just drew back the hammer. The prosecutor has described such a tactic of changing statements employed by Baldwin as a "shameless attempt to escape culpability." Her claims have been substantiated by an FBI investigation, which proved that without pulling the trigger the gun cannot go off, and she will present the report in court.

Image Source: SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO - MARCH 06: Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, former armorer for the movie "Rust," listens to closing arguments in her trial at district court on March 6, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gutierrez-Reed, who was working as the armorer on the movie "Rust" when a revolver actor Alec Baldwin was holding fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding the film's director Joel Souza, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter but acquitted on charges of tampering with evidence. She could face up to 18 months in prison. (Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno - Pool/Getty Images)

The actor on the other hand is asking the court to dismiss the charges as he believes that the authorities are "unfairly stacking the deck" against him with this trial. Hutchins' family on the other hand simply wants justice for her, and they are already satisfied by the court's verdict on Gutierrez's. "We look forward to the justice system continuing to make sure that everyone else who is responsible for Halyna's death is required to face the legal consequences for their actions," they said.