Alec Baldwin Broke 'Cardinal Rules' in 'Rust' Shooting, Prosecutor Argues in Opening Statements

In a New Mexico courtroom on July 10, prosecutor Erlinda Johnson accused actor Alec Baldwin of breaking fundamental gun safety rules during the fatal 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust." Baldwin, aged 66, is facing involuntary manslaughter charges, marking an unprecedented trial where an actor is being held criminally accountable for an on-set shooting death. The jury, comprising 12 members and four alternates, heard that Baldwin allegedly pointed a gun at Hutchins and pulled the trigger during a rehearsal, leading to her death and the wounding of director Joel Souza.
Baldwin's defense, led by lawyer Alex Spiro, argued that the primary responsibility for the tragedy lay with the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, and first assistant director, Dave Halls, both of whom have been convicted in connection with the incident. Spiro contended that Baldwin, an actor, was not at fault and emphasized that the firearm, a reproduction 1873 Single Action Army revolver, was loaded with a live round by Gutierrez. He also stated that on a film set, actors are permitted to handle and fire weapons under the assumption that they are safe.
The case has drawn significant attention, partly due to Baldwin's assertion that the gun discharged spontaneously, a claim contradicted by an FBI test indicating the weapon functioned normally and would only fire if the trigger was pulled. This discrepancy is a focal point of the trial, with Baldwin's defense suggesting that modifications to the gun could have affected its operation. The trial continues to scrutinize whether Baldwin's actions amounted to willful and reckless criminal negligence.
#alecbaldwin #rust #hollywood #worldnews
n18oc_world n18oc_crux
CRUX is your daily video news guide to the big events that are shaping our world. We track news, geopolitics, diplomacy and defence strategies and explain how they shape national policies. Crux makes sense of global developments, and analyses their impact on daily lives.
Follow CRUX on Telegram: bit.ly/3fnlLua
Follow CRUX on Instagram (@crux.india): bit.ly/3qSFx1K
Follow CRUX on Facebook: bit.ly/2Lte7iF
#GetCloserToTheNews with latest headlines on politics, sports and entertainment on news18.com bit.ly/2Y4QccL
Also watch:
Crux Decode: bit.ly/3MjzIoG
Crux+ : bit.ly/35mm97B
Crux Most Watched: bit.ly/3KhJ8iX

[@32shumble]

So we are saying that in every film and TV show that involves guns, every time the actor picks up the gun they should check to see if some live rounds have been mixed with the blanks? Can we ask Mr.Eastwood if that has been his working practice? The whole thing is BS. It's the armourer's responsibility - always has been.

[@williamhenry9705]

We're lucky he didn't shoot Sean Connery or Scott Glenn in that sub movie.