Attorneys for Alec Baldwin asked a New Mexico judge on Thursday to dismiss the charges against him stemming from the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust,” accusing prosecutors of “unethical disparagement of Alec Baldwin.”
Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas accused prosecutors of “violating nearly every rule in the book” to secure a grand jury indictment.
“The State did not make Baldwin’s witnesses available to testify. Nor did it present the exculpatory and favorable evidence to the grand jury,” the motion to dismiss said.
“The State prosecutors have engaged in this misconduct—and publicly dragged Baldwin through the cesspool created by their improprieties—without any regard for the fact that serious criminal charges have been hanging over his head for two and a half years. Enough is enough.”
The special prosecutor handling the case declined to comment on the substance of Baldwin’s motion, saying a response would come in a court filing due in two weeks.
Actor Alec Baldwin is seeking the dismissal of charges in the tragic shooting incident on the set of the film “Rust” that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident, which occurred on October 21, 2021, has sparked a heated debate about gun safety on film sets and has raised questions about who should be held responsible for such a tragedy.
Baldwin, who was both a producer and star of the film, was handling a prop gun during a rehearsal when it discharged, striking Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Hutchins tragically succumbed to her injuries, while Souza survived. The incident has been described as a “freak accident” by Baldwin and his legal team, who maintain that he did not intentionally harm anyone.
In a recent court filing, Baldwin’s lawyers argued that he should not be held criminally responsible for the shooting, as he did not have any intent to harm Hutchins or anyone else on set. They also pointed out that Baldwin was not involved in the handling or maintenance of the prop gun, which was the responsibility of the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
Gutierrez-Reed has also faced scrutiny in the wake of the shooting, with reports emerging that she had a history of safety violations on previous film sets. She has since been charged with multiple counts of negligence in relation to the incident.
The legal battle surrounding the “Rust” shooting has brought attention to the issue of gun safety in the film industry. Many have called for stricter regulations and protocols to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Some have even suggested banning the use of real guns on film sets altogether, opting instead for CGI or other special effects.
As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Baldwin will be successful in his bid to have the charges against him dismissed. The outcome of this high-profile case could have far-reaching implications for the film industry and could potentially lead to changes in how firearms are handled on set.
In the meantime, our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Halyna Hutchins, who tragically lost her life in this senseless and preventable tragedy. May her memory be a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and accountability in all aspects of filmmaking.
