Less than three weeks before Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial is set to begin in Santa Fe, New Mexico, prosecutors have made a new claim that the actor “flouted security protocols” before the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021.
Hutchins was killed after Baldwin discharged a Pietta .45 Colt revolver, used as a prop for the film. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March and subsequently sentenced to 18 months in prison. 30 Rock star Baldwin, facing the same charge, is scheduled to first appear in court on July 9.
According to RadarOnline, it’s now being alleged that Baldwin “engaged in horseplay with his gun” and “fired a blank round at a crew member” shortly before Hutchins was shot.
A new court filing submitted on Monday outlined how the prosecution in Baldwin’s case are planning to present evidence of the actor’s alleged reckless behavior to the jury.
One such incident played out when Baldwin is said to have aimed his gun and fired “a blank round at a crew member”.
Baldwin was also accused of flouting safety protocol between October 12, 2021 and October 21, 2021 (the day of the fatal shooting), as well as firing a weapon after filming was over and keeping his finger on the trigger during scenes.
According to Radar Online, the court documents filed on Monday reads: “[Baldwin] can be seen engaging in horseplay with his gun and pulling his gun when the scene did not call for the pulling of his gun. When he pulls his gun the muzzle of the gun is pointed directly at another actor.”
It continues: “Mr. Baldwin can be seen screaming intermittently throughout the attempts at filming the scene.
“He exercises complete control over the set by stopping the acting sequence, cursing loudly and rushing the other cast and crew.”
The prosecution also allege that Baldwin “asked to be assigned the ‘biggest’ gun available” prior to when Rust starting shooting three years ago, arguing that their evidence shows how Hutchins’ death was not an “accident or mistake”.
For his part, Baldwin has maintained his innocence since that fateful day in 2021. The 66-year-old was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year, and pleaded not guilty in January.
If found guilty at trial, Baldwin could face over a year in prison.
What do you make of the Rust shooting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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