Alec Baldwin has not been re-charged in the investigation into the slaying of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, but today prosecutors alleged that producers of the independent Western are preventing them from obtaining all the facts.
“Rust Productions has either intervened, interfered, or obstructed the criminal investigation in this case,” special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey told a New Mexico magistrate on Friday during a hearing over film-related documents. This entire calamity occurred because Rust Productions took every opportunity to cut corners and hired inexperienced and poorly equipped crew members.
Today’s proceeding before District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, which was livestreamed, was ostensibly part of the special prosecutor’s case against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Gutierrez-Reed is currently the only person charged in the case, facing accusations of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. However, prosecutors have indicated that they may charge Baldwin in the future.
Since the fatal shot of Hutchins on the Bonanza Creek Ranch set of Rust nearly two years ago, Baldwin has maintained that he did not fire the 1880s Colt.45 that killed Hutchins. In spite of this, both the FBI and forensic experts brought in by the special prosecutor have concluded that the gun’s trigger must have been released. Baldwin’s criminal charges were dismissed earlier this year as a result of this confusion, which was exacerbated by the damage done to the firearm during the initial investigation.
The purpose of today’s hearing was ostensibly to allow prosecutors access to documents that would cast light on Baldwin’s true role on Rust. The multiple-Emmy-winning actor and director Joel Souza [who was also injured during filming in 2021] conceived the concept for the film. Baldwin was a producer on the film; therefore, prosecutors want to know precisely what he knew about the film’s actual budget and personnel issues.
Rust Movie Productions LLC argued against turning over the documents, labeling the state’s subpoena, “burdensome”, that charges have been dismissed and the records were not relevant in the case against Gutierrez-Reed.
In April, special prosecutors withdrew the charges against Baldwin. Rust completed production earlier this year in Montana.
A case status conference is scheduled for January. The trial is scheduled to begin in February.
