The Rust scandal is still ongoing and does not seem to be looking at an end anytime soon. Actor Alec Baldwin, who is the face of the whole incident, is once again looking at things getting out of hand as the case takes another turn. The actor pleaded not guilty on a new involuntary manslaughter charge in the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died on a New Mexico movie set in October 2021.
Almost a year after prosecutors dropped similar charges against Baldwin, he was indicted once again earlier this year. When the prosecutors dropped the charges against the actor last time, they had said the investigation is still ongoing and that they could file charges again. This happened in early 2024, and the trial against Alec Baldwin is set to commence later in July this year.
Behind The Scene Video From Rust Set Incriminates Alec Baldwin
In the ingoing case against Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer who is facing a trial for the fatal accident that led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, videos from the set of Rust were played in front of jurors recently. In one such video (via Variety), actor Alec Baldwin can be seen moving towards the camera, shooting his pistol, and shouting to do retakes.
“One more! One more! One more! Right away! Let’s reload!”
Further into the video, a visibly impatient Balwin can be seen saying,
“Here we go! C’mon. We should have two guns and both we’re reloading.”
The actor can even be seen using his gun to point at others, which goes against gun safety and precautionary measures in film sets.
Prosecutors Are Coming After Alec Baldwin For Negligence
Alec Baldwin, as well as the armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, are accused of criminal negligence that led to the death of the cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. Prosecutors in the case have alleged that the actor is responsible for firing the gun that killed Hutchins, as well as mismanagement in his role as a producer of Rust. Things are getting ugly by the day, and the actor’s upcoming trial in July is not looking to have a positive outcome for him.
The 65-year-old’s defense team argued against the prosecution, saying Baldwin was only a “creative” producer and did not serve in a supervisory role. The mismanagement of props (including the gun) was not because of him, and he has been deeply affected because of the part he played in Hutchins’ death. But all in all, he has been adamant in denying any foul play or negligence on his part.
But with the recent videos that have been played for the jurors in the Gutierrez Reed case, it is very likely that the same videos will be used by the prosecutors in the July trial against Baldwin. In response to the video, Baldwin’s defense had assistant director of Rust, David Halls, take the stand, who said,
“I don’t characterize that as Mr. Baldwin rushing people. I characterize it as an actor in his moment — ‘I’m ready. OK, let’s go.’ There was never Mr. Baldwin rushing anybody.”
He also said that Gutierrez Reed was very diligent on set, even though she is an industry newbie in comparison, and did her work efficiently. It is to be noted that Halls pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent handling of weapons last year and served six months of unsupervised probation because of the shooting.
