Although the actor denies pulling the trigger on the gun that killed Halyna Hutchins and dropping criminal charges against him, a new report on the weapon casts doubt on his claims.
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Alec Baldwin and Helena Hutchins
After the criminal charges against him were dropped, Alec Baldwin They may be summoned to court for murder Rust Cinematographer Helena Hutchins After all, a new report suggests.
A forensic report obtained by People on Tuesday concluded that the trigger of the .45 Colt revolver that was found to contain live ammunition must have been pulled “enough” to cause the accident.
“Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies that the trigger was pulled, given the tests, results, and observations reported herein, the trigger was either pulled or pressed sufficiently to fire the fully cocked or pulled hammer of the evidence handgun,” read a firearms report by Expert Lucien Haag and Mike Haag, who were appointed by the State of New Mexico in its case against Hannah Gutierrez Reed. “This fatal incident was the result of the hammer being pulled by hand to its fully rearward position and cocked, followed, at some point, by the trigger being pulled or lowered to the rear.”
In October 2021, Baldwin was wielding the gun in question on the New Mexico set of a Western when he walked out, wounding writer-director Joel Souza and killing Hutchins, 42. Accused the Rust Actor and producer, 65, with two counts of manslaughter.
The charges were dismissed without bias in April, but prosecutors Carey Morrissey and Jason Lewis wrote in a June 9 filing that Baldwin could face charges pending the ongoing gun investigation.
The gun and the broken burn were sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing. The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible gun malfunction significantly affects causation with respect to Aldwin, not with respect to Gutierrez. If so, he determined that the gun did not disrupt, and the charges against Mr. Baldwin will continue.” they wrote at that timeadding that they expected to make a final decision on charging Baldwin within 60 days of this filing.
In the case against Gutierrez Reed, the prosecution’s new report included photos of Baldwin in a pre-incident rehearsal outfit and carrying a gun. When the gun itself was reassembled, the report said, “it was found to be in proper working order and in accordance with the operational design of the original Colt 1873 single-action revolvers.”
Although “the full cock step on the hammer was badly damaged, the top of the sear of the trigger was broken and the bolt (cylinder stop) was also broken” due to the accident, there was no indication of “any modification to the rifle”, As stated in the report.
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In August 2022, A.J Forensic report Many of the FBI made similar decisions, including that Baldwin must have pulled the trigger. “The gun cannot be made to fire without pulling the trigger” unless the hammer is “disengaged in a loaded chamber” and “the hammer is struck directly,” according to that report, which Baldwin’s attorney said. claimed He was “misunderstood”.
In interviews conducted by Baldwin Repeatedly The gun fired without pulling the trigger. “The trigger wasn’t pulled. I didn’t pull the trigger. I would never point a gun at someone and pull the trigger on them, ever,” he said in December 2021.
Related: Everything you need to know about Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ shooting fee, and what happens next?
in April, ABC News reported That the charges against Baldwin were Projection. said two of the Emmy winner’s attorneys, Luke Nicas and Alex Spiro a permit Share with PEOPLE: “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident.”
movie shield maker, Hannah Gutierrez ReidHe was also initially charged with manslaughter, while assistant director David Holes pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
In January, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack Altois and Special Prosecutor Andrea Ripp indicated in a statement that “If any of those three people – Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Hols – had done his job, Halena Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple. The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the Rust Photography site.”
Last week, Gutierrez Reed, 26, He pledged his innocence. “She is looking forward to her day in court, and to fully examining the behavior of everyone on set,” Armored’s attorney Jason Bowles said in a statement to PEOPLE. Gutierrez Reed’s trial is scheduled for December.
Rust Production resumed and ended production in Montana earlier this year after Baldwin and the film’s producers reached a separate settlement with Hutchins’ Matthew the widowerwith whom she shares her son Andros.
“filming Rust“I will now resume with all of the original key players in January 2023,” Matthew said in a statement last October. . Baldwin). We all think Halina’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
Souza, 50, added, “Those of us who were fortunate enough to spend time with Halina know that she is extremely talented, kind, creative and an amazing source of positive energy. I wish the world would have known her under different circumstances, as it surely will through her incredible work.” “.
In May, Baldwin subscriber Instagram photo of Rust Cast members Patrick Scott McDermott and Frances Fisher wrote, “It’s been a long, hard road. But we’ve come to the end of the road today… nothing short of a miracle.”
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