death on film set - Baldwin's Lawyers Demand Halt to the 'Rust' Process
In the ongoing process against Alec Baldwin for reckless manslaughter of a cinematographer, Baldwin's lawyers have again requested a dismissal of the case in the Santa Fe (New Mexico) court. This unexpected move surprised the jury, who were sent home by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer shortly after the start of the trial day. They were instructed to return on Monday for further witness testimonies.
In the trial that began on Tuesday, the question at hand is whether the 66-year-old actor acted recklessly when he discharged a gun on the set of the Western "Rust" in 2021, resulting in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (42). Baldwin had discharged the gun during rehearsals as instructed by the director. However, instead of harmless blank cartridges, live ammunition was discharged. A bullet struck Hutchins and killed her.
Defense criticizes the prosecution
Baldwin's lawyers now claim that the prosecution withheld crucial evidence in the case. In question are a series of cartridges that surfaced a few months ago. They could, according to the defense, shed light on the origin of the live ammunition on the "Rust" set. This question has not been definitively answered yet.
In a separate trial, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for weapons safety on the "Rust" shoot, had already been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She had loaded the weapon that contained live ammunition. In April, she was sentenced to the maximum term of 18 months in prison.
Baldwin's lawyers had attempted to prevent the trial against the actor prior to the proceedings. They accused the prosecution of procedural errors. The defense had failed in all previous attempts to dismiss the charges with motions.
- The Prosecutor's Office in the United States of America is currently facing criticism from Alec Baldwin's lawyers for allegedly withholding crucial evidence in the Santa Fe court.
- People were surprised when Baldwin's lawyers requested a dismissal of the reckless manslaughter case against him, during the trial for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the Film set of the movie "Rust" in New Mexico.
- Mary Marlowe Sommer, the judge presiding over the trial, sent the jury home early and instructed them to return on Monday for further witness testimonies.
- Despite defense arguments claiming that the prosecution withheld evidence, such as a series of cartridges that could shed light on the origin of the live ammunition on the "Rust" set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer responsible for weapons safety, was already found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a separate trial.
- The question at hand in the trial against Baldwin is whether he acted recklessly when he discharged a gun on the set of "Rust," which resulted in the death fall of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
- The trial against Baldwin, which began on Tuesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has attracted attention from stars and the movie industry, as the actor is a well-known figure in Hollywood.
