New Mexico judge considers dismissal of Alec Baldwin's indictment
A New Mexico judge is currently reviewing a request from actor Alec Baldwin to dismiss a grand jury indictment against him. The indictment, filed in January, accuses Baldwin of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021. The incident occurred on a ranch near Santa Fe during the production of the Western film Rust, where Baldwin served as both lead actor and co-producer.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty, lawyers seek case dismissal
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. His attorneys are urging for the case's dismissal, arguing that prosecutors violated grand jury proceedings rules by diverting attention from exculpatory evidence and witnesses. They also contend that the grand jury received "inaccurate and biased testimony" about the revolver involved in Hutchins's fatal shooting.
Prosecutors defend conduct, accuse Baldwin of evading responsibility
Special prosecutors have defended their adherence to grand jury protocols and accused Baldwin of "shameless" attempts to evade responsibility. They highlighted inconsistencies in his statements to law enforcement, workplace safety regulators, and during a televised interview. The indictment against Baldwin provides two potential standards for prosecutors: one based on negligent use of a firearm and another requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt that Baldwin caused Hutchins's death without "due caution" or "circumspection."
Defense claims key witnesses overlooked, prosecution focus shifted
Defense attorneys claim that prosecutors directed the grand jury away from testimony by key witnesses including the film's director, assistant director David Halls, and props master Sarah Zachry. The focus shifted to Baldwin after armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced in April to 18 months in prison for an involuntary manslaughter conviction related to Hutchins's death. Last year, an earlier charge against Baldwin was dismissed after reports surfaced that the gun he was holding may have been modified/malfunctioned before the shooting.
Gutierrez-Reed's trial shed light on Baldwin's potential proceedings
The trial of Gutierrez-Reed offered a glimpse into how Baldwin's trial could proceed. Baldwin's role as a co-producer and lead actor on Rust was highlighted in testimonies and closing arguments. Both the prosecution and defense in Gutierrez-Reed's trial analyzed video footage of Baldwin prior to the fatal shooting for insights into firearms safety lapses. Currently, Gutierrez-Reed is appealing her conviction to a higher court.
Baldwin was offered deal before indictment
After the shooting incident, filming of Rust resumed in Montana under an agreement with Hutchins's husband, Matthew Hutchins, who became an executive producer. A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Matthew was settled under undisclosed terms. Defense attorneys revealed that Baldwin was offered a deal to plead to a "minor offense" before a grand jury was convened last year. However, this offer was "inexplicably retracted" before the deadline to respond.
