Alec Baldwin’s Lawyers Slam Reopened RUST Case, Cite ‘Abuse of the System’
By Movieguide® Contributor
The involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin was reopened earlier this year, and his lawyers are now slamming the prosecutors for abusing the system.
“Enough is enough,” the filing reads. “This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme.”
“The State prosecutors have engaged in this misconduct – and publicly dragged Baldwin through the cesspool created by their improprieties – without any regard for the fact that serious criminal charges have been hanging over his head for two and a half years,” Baldwin’s lawyers wrote in a motion to dismiss the charges.
“This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme,” his lawyers continued. “If the State had conducted the grand jury process consistent with New Mexico law, the outcome should and almost certainly would have been different.”
“In short, the State concealed substantial exculpatory and favorable evidence from the grand jury,” they added. “The Court should therefore dismiss the indictment.”
Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges for the death of RUST cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed in October 2021 when a loaded .45 Colt Baldwin was holding discharged. RUST director Joel Souza was also injured during the accident.
Over the past two and a half years, Baldwin claims he did not pull the trigger, leaving him with no culpability in the tragedy.
After an initial investigation, Baldwin and RUST armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both served involuntary manslaughter charges. Baldwin’s was then dropped in April due to unsubstantial evidence. However, after an analysis of the gun by the FBI, it was determined that the firearm could only have discharged if the trigger were pulled, placing a target on Baldwin once again. His case was reopened last October.
While the reopened case hinges on the evidence that the gun could have only fired with the trigger pulled, Baldwin’s lawyers argue that it doesn’t tell the full story.
“Michael Haag, one of the State’s purported firearms experts…omitted several essential facts regarding that testing, including that the FBI testing established that the gun did fire without a trigger pull when the firearm was fully loaded with six rounds, as it was on the day of the incident,” Baldwin’s lawyers said.
Baldwin’s trial is set to go to court this July.
Gutierrez-Reed, who faced similar charges, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this month. She is expected to be sentenced sometime in April and faces a maximum of a $5,000 fine along with 18 months in prison.
Movieguide® previously reported:
RUST armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Hutchins was killed in October 2021 when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a weapon that was accidentally loaded with a live round. Director Joel Souza was also injured during the accident, getting shot in the shoulder.
Given her role as the movie’s sole armorer, Gutierrez Reed has faced the brunt of the focus for accident. Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Gutierrez Reed was negligent in her job, leading up to Hutchins’ death.
“This is not a case where Hannah Gutierrez made one mistake,” said special prosecutor Kari Morrissey in her closing arguments. “This case is about constant, never-ending safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being and nearly killed another.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
