‘Rust’ trial continues as technician confirms Alec Baldwin was not the only actor with live bullets on set
The involuntary manslaughter trial involving Alec Baldwin continued in New Mexico today, where it was revealed by crime scene technician Marissa Poppell that another actor, Jensen Ackles, was also carrying one of the live bullets on the set of Rust in his prop holster.
On October 21st, 2021, while Baldwin was handling a prop gun on the set of the movie Rust, he discharged his revolver, fatally wounding cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a crime that involves killing another person without any form of malice or intent but in breach of the law.
The trial began yesterday, with the prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson arguing that Baldwin “violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety”, explaining: “The evidence will show that someone who played make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety is the defendant – Alexander Baldwin.”
Today, Poppell testified that live bullets were also found on the prop cart and in two prop gun holsters, one worn by Baldwin and one worn by Ackles. Baldwin’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, pressed whether the actor had “a live bullet in his bandolier,” to which she responded, “Yes.” When asked whether Ackles would have been aware, she confirmed he would have not.
Poppell also testified that live bullets and dummies have a similar appearance, meaning it would have likely been difficult to distinguish between the two, unless the armourer was experienced. “Your working theory, as you evaluated the ammunition and looked at the similarity between the Starline nickel live and the Starline nickel dummies is that they could have been easily commingled there?” Spiro asked. Poppel responded, “Yes.” She also confirmed that “somebody could have mistaken one for the other.”
Spiro then questioned Poppell about why it took a week to search the prop truck, the place where the blanks and dummies were kept on set at the time. Poppell responded: “The search warrant needed to be written.” Adding: “I’m not sure of why the time difference occurred exactly.”
If Baldwin is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, he could face a maximum of eight months in prison. The trial is set to last between eight and ten days. Baldwin is expected to plead not guilty.
This is a developing story.
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