A New Mexico judge has denied Alec Baldwin’s request to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge related to the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” Baldwin’s legal team argued that the gun involved in the incident was damaged during FBI testing, preventing them from conducting their own analysis. They claimed the gun was modified to fire without a trigger pull, a hypothesis central to the prosecution’s case. However, Judge Mary Sommer ruled that Baldwin’s attorneys failed to prove that the gun was intentionally damaged by prosecutors or that they couldn’t obtain comparable evidence.
Baldwin, who pleaded not guilty to the charge in January, is scheduled to go to trial on July 10. The judge’s decision follows a previous ruling in May, where Sommer denied another motion to dismiss the charge. Baldwin’s team had argued that a New Mexico state prosecutor had improperly influenced jurors and withheld evidence favorable to Baldwin.
The incident has drawn significant attention to the safety protocols on the “Rust” set. Hours before the fatal shooting, several camera crew members walked off the set to protest working conditions, including long hours, long commutes, and delayed paychecks. They also raised concerns about gun safety, noting that standard industry protocols were not strictly followed. According to sources, Baldwin’s stunt double had accidentally fired two rounds days before the fatal incident, raising alarms among the crew.
The shooting occurred during the filming of a gunfight scene in a church at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe. Baldwin’s character was supposed to back out of the church, and the crew had declared the gun “cold,” meaning it was not supposed to contain any live ammunition. However, when Baldwin pulled the gun from its holster, it discharged, hitting Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Hutchins was fatally wounded, and Souza was injured.
Court records indicate that Baldwin was handed the loaded weapon by an assistant director who believed it was safe. The armorer responsible for overseeing the gun props, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, could not be reached for comment. Gutierrez Reed, the daughter of veteran armorer Thell Reed, had recently completed her first film as head armorer.
The tragedy has led to a broader discussion about safety on film sets. Rust Movie Productions stated that they were unaware of any official complaints about weapon or prop safety but would conduct an internal review. They also pledged to cooperate with Santa Fe authorities and offer mental health services to the cast and crew.
The incident has also highlighted labor issues within the film industry. The camera crew, represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, had been promised hotel accommodations in Santa Fe but were later required to commute from Albuquerque. This change, coupled with long working hours, led to concerns about safety and fatigue. Hutchins had been advocating for better conditions for her team and was visibly upset when the camera crew left the set.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident, interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence. Baldwin has expressed his shock and sadness over the tragedy, stating that he is fully cooperating with the investigation. Production on “Rust” has been halted indefinitely.
The shooting has also brought attention to the financiers of “Rust,” including Santa Monica-based BondIt Media Capital. The company, founded in 2013, has primarily financed low-budget films and stepped in to fill financing gaps during the COVID-19 pandemic. BondIt’s involvement in “Rust” underscores the financial challenges faced by independent film producers, particularly during the public health crisis.
The “Rust” incident has prompted calls for stricter safety measures on film sets, particularly regarding the use of firearms. Industry professionals and unions are advocating for more rigorous protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As the investigation continues, the film industry is grappling with the implications of the incident and the need for systemic changes to ensure the safety of cast and crew members.
Source: USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Reuters
