Alec Baldwin’s legal team file new motion in ‘Rust’ manslaughter case
Ahead of his manslaughter trial, set to commence on July 10th in New Mexico, legal representatives of actor Alec Baldwin have filed a new motion relating to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
In 2021, Baldwin, who starred in Rust, fired a live round which killed Hutchins and also injured the film’s director Joel Souza. Earlier this month, armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the case. She is yet to be sentenced, but could face a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.
Now, ahead of Baldwin’s trial this summer, his lawyers have filed a new document in the hopes of having the charge against the actor dismissed. They claim state prosecutors went against court orders by revealing relevant information about the case to the media, which they claim is a violation of :nearly every rule in the book” and has “unfairly stacked the deck against Baldwin”. They also remarked, “Enough is enough.”
The lawyers added: “This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme. The court should dismiss the indictment.”
Baldwin’s legal team allege prosecutors have “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.”
Prosector Kari Morrissey has confirmed she will respond to the motion in court within the next 14 days.
When prosecuting Gutierrez-Reed, Morrissey said: “We end exactly where we began — in the pursuit of justice for Halyna Hutchins.”
She concluded: “Hannah Gutierrez failed to maintain firearms safety, making a fatal accident willful and foreseeable.”
“This was a game of Russian roulette every time an actor had a gun with dummies,” Morrissey added while claiming that Gutierrez-Reed unknowingly carried live ammunition to the set.
Meanwhile, after a scheduling order was entered calling for a jury selection on July 9th for Baldwin’s case, the actor pled not guilty to the charge. If he is found guilty, the former 30 Rock star could face a maximum of eight months in prison.
In the build-up to the trial, Baldwin is allowed to walk free, providing that he does not leave the country, consume any alcohol, or possess any firearms during the interim period. Furthermore, SAG-AFTRA previously shared a statement in support of the actor, arguing that it was not his job to be an expert in the firearms they were using.
This is a developing story.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.