The weapons supervisor on the set of the movie Rust was doubtless hungover when she loaded a stay bullet into the revolver utilized by Alec Baldwin who then by accident shot and killed a cinematographer, prosecutors within the case alleged.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was reportedly ingesting alcohol and smoking marijuana within the evenings whereas the film was being filmed, the prosecution mentioned in response to a movement her legal professionals filed looking for to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter cost towards her, the New York Post experiences.
Prosecutors additionally mentioned they’ll resolve whether or not to recharge Baldwin inside the subsequent 60 days — based mostly on the findings of an evaluation of the gun and its damaged spear by an impartial professional.
The 65-year-old actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter however the cost was dismissed in April to permit for extra time to research new proof.
Baldwin has repeatedly mentioned he didn’t pull the set off and pleaded not responsible to the fees in February.
In their response, prosecutors claimed Ms Gutierrez-Reed had a historical past of reckless behaviour and will “finally be held accountable” for the security of the general public.
The film armourer had solely labored on one different set earlier than she was employed for the manufacturing of Rust.
Her lawyer, Jason Bowles, slammed the accusations this week.
“The case is so weak that they now have chosen to resort to character assassination claims about Hannah,” Mr Bowles advised The Associated Press.
“The prosecution has abandoned the idea of doing justice and getting to the actual truth apparently.”
Ms Gutierrez-Reed will go to court docket on August 9 for a preliminary listening to, the place a decide is anticipated to resolve if there’s possible trigger for the cost and if the case will go to trial.
The prices stem from an October 2021 incident when Baldwin shot a classic Colt .45 revolver that unexpectedly contained a stay spherical, which struck and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, throughout a rehearsal on the New Mexico movie set.
The movie’s director Joel Souza was additionally wounded within the unintended capturing.
Ms Gutierrez-Reed’s legal professionals claimed that Santa Fe District lawyer Mary Carmack-Altwies and the preliminary particular prosecutor she appointed “both used the tragic film set accident that resulted in the death of Halyna Hutchins as an opportunity to advance their personal interests” of their movement filed final month.
They additionally accused the FBI of completely damaging the gun throughout exams earlier than the defence might study it. The legal professionals mentioned the bureau successfully destroyed proof in violation of the court docket’s guidelines of discovery.
The defence additional claimed that Ms Gutierrez-Reed’s prosecution was “selective” and an infringement on her rights to equal safety beneath the 14th Amendment.
New particular prosecutors appointed to the case strongly denied the claims.
“Nothing about this prosecution has or will be selective,” they mentioned.
Investigators are nonetheless working to find out the place the stay rounds discovered on the set got here from. They advised there was proof that Ms Gutierrez-Reed might be accountable and if discovered to be true, will doubtless deliver extra prices towards her.
The rookie armourer beforehand maintained that the Rust revolver was solely loaded with dummy bullets, however investigators discovered a mix of stay rounds and dummy bullets on the set — marking a severe security violation.
This story appeared within the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.
Source: www.news.com.au
