Alec Baldwin's Emotional State Questioned in 'Rust' Set Incident, Prosecutors Allege
New legal filing by prosecutors in New Mexico suggests actor Alec Baldwin's emotional state played a role in safety lapses leading to the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of 'Rust' in 2021.
Special prosecutors in New Mexico are saying that actor Alec Baldwin's actions on the "Rust" movie set played a part in safety issues that ultimately resulted in the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
They made this statement in response to Baldwin's legal team's attempt to dismiss the charges against him, which was filed in March.
Prosecutors claim that Baldwin has given inconsistent statements about the shooting incident and lacked control over his emotions on set, as per a document obtained by CNN.
A spokesperson for Baldwin chose not to provide a comment on the recent legal filing.
The filing alleges that during his initial days on set, Baldwin insisted on the crew and armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, to "work faster" and his constant rushing of the crew jeopardized safety on the movie set.
According to the filing, Baldwin frequently yelled and used foul language towards crew members, himself, or no one in particular on set, showing no regard for how his behavior impacted those around him. The filing claimed that witnesses have stated this behavior played a role in compromising safety on set.
In January, Baldwin entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting incident. The tragic event resulted in the death of Hutchins and injury to director Joel Souza when a gun being handled by Baldwin discharged a live round during a scene rehearsal on the western movie set.
In March, Gutierrez Reed, the individual in charge of firearm safety and storage on the film set, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. She could be sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in prison and a fine of $5,000.
Prosecutors claim that many crew members noticed Gutierrez Reed's lack of experience and feeling overwhelmed on set. They also point out that Baldwin, who was a producer on the film, failed to address this behavior.
The filing states that the mix of Gutierrez's negligence and inexperience, along with Baldwin's disregard for safety, led to the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins.
Prosecutors were not happy with Baldwin's public statements following the incident, claiming he was trying to influence public opinion.
In response to the accusations, Baldwin's legal team filed a motion in March to dismiss the charges, arguing that prosecutors had unfairly tarnished his reputation without considering the serious criminal charges he has faced for over two years.
His lawyers expressed that this is a misuse of the system and a violation of the rights of an innocent individual.
This report was contributed to by CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister, Josh Campbell, Cheri Mossburg, Taylor Romine, Nouran Salahieh, and Elizabeth Joseph.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the ongoing legal battle surrounding the tragic shooting on the set of "Rust." While Baldwin's legal team attempts to dismiss the charges against him, special prosecutors maintain that his actions played a significant role in compromising safety on the set. They cite his inconsistent statements, lack of emotional control, and constant rushing of the crew as factors that contributed to the incident.
The prosecution further alleges that Baldwin, as a producer, failed to address the inexperience and apparent distress of the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed. This combination of negligence and disregard for safety ultimately resulted in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The article serves as a reminder of the paramount importance of prioritizing safety on movie sets and the consequences of failing to do so.
