New Mexico vs. Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed - Shooting death of Halyna Hutchins on "RUST" movie set *CASE DISMISSED*

‘Rust’ Prosecutors Make It Easy to Find All of Alec Baldwin’s Court Docs

Due to the "high volume of requests," New Mexico authorities are putting everything they have online.

www.indiewire.com

Brian Welk
Feb 2, 2023 2:35 pm

You normally wouldn’t expect this level of accessibility from a government bureaucracy, but the demand to see Alec Baldwin’s public court documents in the “Rust” case have been so high that authorities are just putting it all online. And they’re sending out press releases touting the portal.

New Mexico district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who formally charged Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with two counts of involuntary manslaughter each on Tuesday, has now launched an online portal via the state’s courts. She’s now asking media and the public to access anything and everything pertaining to the “Rust” case there.

If you visit nmcourts.gov, there’s a tab along the left rail that says “High Profile Cases.” Beneath it are all the criminal court documents for the cases against Baldwin, Gutierrez-Reed and “Rust” assistant director David Halls, who had already agreed to a plea deal (and was subsequently charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon). It’s an easy-access, one-stop shop for all your information on one of the most troubling stories to rock Hollywood in years!

 

[kdg411]

I don't get why he was charged at all.

Maybe because he was fired the weapon that took Halyna Hutchins life? jmo

 

[Guess Who]

While I am glad they dropped charges for him, I do not believe his statement about not pulling the trigger at all. If he wasn't to pull the trigger, they would not have had the need/want cor any kind of ammo in the gun at all. To get the desired shot of the actual smoke coming out of the end of it, one HAS to pull the trigger. I do not believe he was doing anything but what he was being directed to do and truly believed the person, who's actual job it was to make sure it was safe, when gold it was a blank.

 

[Guess Who]

Maybe because he was fired the weapon that took Halyna Hutchins life? jmo

Exactly

 

[Mel70]

I'm glad they dropped the charges. There were people who's job it was to make sure the gun was safe. The morons target shooting beforehand, Etc. You should be able to trust that. It wasn't just one person's responsibility before giving him a said cleared gun.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Problematic Baldwin case could have been even worse at a trial

OPINION: The prosecution of Alec Baldwin was fraught with procedural mishaps.

www.abqjournal.com

BY SHERRI BURR / UNM EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF LAW; AUTHOR, MULTIPLE ENTERTAINMENT LAW BOOKS; ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENT
PUBLISHED: SUNDAY, MAY 14TH, 2023 AT 10:00AM
UPDATED: SUNDAY, MAY 14TH, 2023 AT 10:15AM

The prosecution of Alec Baldwin for the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been fraught with procedural mishaps. Prosecutors dismissed the firearm enhancement charge because it violated the constitutional prohibition against ex post facto laws to prevent charges under a law that did not exist at the time of the alleged misconduct. Special prosecutor Andrea Reeb resigned after objections her election as a state legislator disqualified her from serving in the judiciary branch of government. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer told District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis that she could not serve as co-counsel to replace Reeb and mandated she either lead the case or turn it over to another prosecutor. Special prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis dismissed the only remaining criminal allegation against Alec Baldwin.

Perhaps the prosecution is lucky the case fell apart as it did. At trial, Baldwin might have been unanimously acquitted. The prosecutors accused him of negligence, alleging he should have checked the gun himself and he did not pay sufficient attention to the training. Yet prosecutors do not appear to have investigated: what is the industry standard when it comes to such duties?

 

[GrandmaBear]

i haven't even followed this one as my cynicism says he won't see the justice an average person would. i am not surprised one bit by the above. when they have to prosecute they do to look like they believe in justice but then these "things" occur....

 

[Cousin Dupree]

i haven't even followed this one as my cynicism says he won't see the justice an average person would. i am not surprised one bit by the above. when they have to prosecute they do to look like they believe in justice but then these "things" occur....

I get what you're saying and in most cases I'd agree, but he did nothing wrong.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

New Mexico judge approves settlement in 'Rust' wrongful death lawsuit | CNN

A district court judge in New Mexico on Thursday approved a settlement agreement in a February 2022 wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was fatally shot on the “Rust” movie set in 2021, according to documents obtained by CNN.

www.cnn.com

By Kevin Flower
Updated 12:06 AM EDT, Fri June 2, 2023

A district court judge in New Mexico on Thursday approved a settlement agreement in a February 2022 wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was fatally shot on the “Rust” movie set in 2021, according to documents obtained by CNN.

Hutchins’ family filed the suit against Alec Baldwin – who stars in the film and serves as a producer – along with the film’s production companies, its producers and other key members of the crew, alleging numerous industry standard violations.

In October 2022, Matthew Hutchins, the widow of Halyna Hutchins, said in a statement that parties had reached a settlement that was subject to court approval, which was formally approved by a Santa Fe judge on Thursday.

Financial details of the settlement have not been made public. According to the court order, the settlement set up structured annuities that will provide payments to Hutchins’ minor child when he reaches the ages of 18 and 22.

As part of the agreement, the movie was to be completed with Matthew Hutchins serving as an executive producer, according to his October statement. CNN previously reported that “Rust” resumed filming in Montana in April.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

New Mexico judge approves settlement in 'Rust' wrongful death lawsuit | CNN

A district court judge in New Mexico on Thursday approved a settlement agreement in a February 2022 wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was fatally shot on the “Rust” movie set in 2021, according to documents obtained by CNN.

www.cnn.com

By Kevin Flower
Updated 12:06 AM EDT, Fri June 2, 2023

A district court judge in New Mexico on Thursday approved a settlement agreement in a February 2022 wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was fatally shot on the “Rust” movie set in 2021, according to documents obtained by CNN.

Hutchins’ family filed the suit against Alec Baldwin – who stars in the film and serves as a producer – along with the film’s production companies, its producers and other key members of the crew, alleging numerous industry standard violations.

In October 2022, Matthew Hutchins, the widow of Halyna Hutchins, said in a statement that parties had reached a settlement that was subject to court approval, which was formally approved by a Santa Fe judge on Thursday.

Financial details of the settlement have not been made public. According to the court order, the settlement set up structured annuities that will provide payments to Hutchins’ minor child when he reaches the ages of 18 and 22.

As part of the agreement, the movie was to be completed with Matthew Hutchins serving as an executive producer, according to his October statement. CNN previously reported that “Rust” resumed filming in Montana in April.

They're really going to make this movie? Wow! They should scrap it like other movies that suffered a death did.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Prosecutors say weapons expert in Baldwin case was hungover on set

Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on the film set in October 2021 when it went off, killing her and wounding the film’s director.

www.knoe.com

By The Associated Press and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press
Published: Jun. 13, 2023 at 9:05 PM EDT|Updated: 10 hours ago

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The weapons supervisor on the film set where Alec Baldwin shot and killed a cinematographer was drinking and smoking marijuana in the evenings during the filming of “Rust,” prosecutors are alleging, saying she was likely hungover when she loaded a live bullet into the revolver that the actor used.

They leveled the accusations Friday in response to a motion filed last month by Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys that seeks to dismiss her involuntary manslaughter charge. The prosecutors accused her of having a history of reckless conduct and argued that it would be in the public interest for her to “finally be held accountable.”

Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, said Tuesday that the prosecution has mishandled the case.

“The case is so weak that they now have chosen to resort to character assassination claims about Hannah,” Bowles told The Associated Press. “The prosecution has abandoned the idea of doing justice and getting to the actual truth apparently.”


A preliminary hearing for Gutierrez-Reed is scheduled in August. A judge is expected to decide then if there’s probable cause for Gutierrez-Reed’s charge to move forward.

In the response, the prosecutors also noted that they expected to decide within the next 60 days whether to recharge Baldwin, depending on the results of an analysis of the gun and its broken sear. The items were sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing.

 

[legolasricerye]

Wow, that's awesome! The government is really stepping up and making sure that everything is all out in the open. And the 'High-Profile Cases' tab sounds like it's a super convenient way to get all the details on the Baldwin/Rust case.

 

[Guess Who]

Prosecutors say weapons expert in Baldwin case was hungover on set

Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on the film set in October 2021 when it went off, killing her and wounding the film’s director.

www.knoe.com

By The Associated Press and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press
Published: Jun. 13, 2023 at 9:05 PM EDT|Updated: 10 hours ago

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The weapons supervisor on the film set where Alec Baldwin shot and killed a cinematographer was drinking and smoking marijuana in the evenings during the filming of “Rust,” prosecutors are alleging, saying she was likely hungover when she loaded a live bullet into the revolver that the actor used.

They leveled the accusations Friday in response to a motion filed last month by Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys that seeks to dismiss her involuntary manslaughter charge. The prosecutors accused her of having a history of reckless conduct and argued that it would be in the public interest for her to “finally be held accountable.”

Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, said Tuesday that the prosecution has mishandled the case.

“The case is so weak that they now have chosen to resort to character assassination claims about Hannah,” Bowles told The Associated Press. “The prosecution has abandoned the idea of doing justice and getting to the actual truth apparently.”


A preliminary hearing for Gutierrez-Reed is scheduled in August. A judge is expected to decide then if there’s probable cause for Gutierrez-Reed’s charge to move forward.

In the response, the prosecutors also noted that they expected to decide within the next 60 days whether to recharge Baldwin, depending on the results of an analysis of the gun and its broken sear. The items were sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing.

while conveniently overlooking the fact that loading the correct bullet was the very purpose of her job there, hungover or not. I still would love to know who's final say it was in requesting this shot and not doing it cgi. That person is also to blame imo.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

'Rust' armorer accused of handing off bag of cocaine after deadly on-set shooting

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as well as tampering with evidence.

abcnews.go.com

ByVera Drymon, Jenna Harrison, and Meredith Deliso
June 30, 2023, 4:20 PM

The "Rust" armorer accused of manslaughter over the deadly on-set shooting allegedly handed off a small bag of cocaine following her interview with police, prosecutors claim in a new court filing.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot by actor Alec Baldwin on the Santa Fe set in October 2021.

She now faces an additional charge of tampering with evidence. State prosecutors in Santa Fe last week amended their criminal complaint against the defendant, claiming that Gutierrez-Reed "did transfer narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of herself."

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Alec Baldwin Set To Face New Involuntary Manslaughter Charges, ‘Rust’ Prosecutors Say

New involuntary manslaughter claims against Alec Baldwin in the Rust fatal shooting could be put before a grand jury in a matter of weeks.

deadline.com

By Dominic Patten, Anthony D'Alessandro
October 17, 2023 12:04pm

Just over six months after criminal charges were dropped against Alec Baldwin for the 2021 killing of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, new involuntary manslaughter claims could be put before a grand jury in a matter of weeks.

“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” said Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis today of the tragedy on the New Mexico set of the Indie Western on October 21 two years ago.

“We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial,” the duo added Tuesday. Earlier this month, the special prosecutors accused Baldwin and Rust producers of obstructing the investigation into what really happened that fatal day on the Bonanza Creek Ranch set in the Land of Enchantment.

While a blow to Baldwin, who has always insisted he never pulled the trigger on the gun that killed Hutchins and injured Rust director Joel Souza, the haunting possibility of refiled charges was never far from a reality. Though Baldwin saw criminal charges against him in the death of Hutchins dropped in April, the newly minted special prosecutors in the case never ruled out refiling manslaughter or other claims against him if more evidence came in — which sounds like what has happened now.

 

[Guess Who]

Alec Baldwin Set To Face New Involuntary Manslaughter Charges, ‘Rust’ Prosecutors Say

New involuntary manslaughter claims against Alec Baldwin in the Rust fatal shooting could be put before a grand jury in a matter of weeks.

deadline.com

By Dominic Patten, Anthony D'Alessandro
October 17, 2023 12:04pm

Just over six months after criminal charges were dropped against Alec Baldwin for the 2021 killing of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, new involuntary manslaughter claims could be put before a grand jury in a matter of weeks.

“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” said Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis today of the tragedy on the New Mexico set of the Indie Western on October 21 two years ago.

“We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial,” the duo added Tuesday. Earlier this month, the special prosecutors accused Baldwin and Rust producers of obstructing the investigation into what really happened that fatal day on the Bonanza Creek Ranch set in the Land of Enchantment.

While a blow to Baldwin, who has always insisted he never pulled the trigger on the gun that killed Hutchins and injured Rust director Joel Souza, the haunting possibility of refiled charges was never far from a reality. Though Baldwin saw criminal charges against him in the death of Hutchins dropped in April, the newly minted special prosecutors in the case never ruled out refiling manslaughter or other claims against him if more evidence came in — which sounds like what has happened now.

While I do not believe him in that he did not pull the trigger, I do not blame him for doing exactly what the director most likely told him to do. The entire premise of using a blank in the gun was to capture the bullet firing. You don't capture the bullet firing by not pulling the trigger. Of course, he did! IF he was told the gun was cleared and he was told to rehearse for the scene to be filmed, then this is mostly on the person that told him it was cleared and told him to fire it. Yes, he should have confirmed it but when a supposed professional tells you they did their job, most of us would rely upon that.

 

[Kimster]

While I do not believe him in that he did not pull the trigger, I do not blame him for doing exactly what the director most likely told him to do. The entire premise of using a blank in the gun was to capture the bullet firing. You don't capture the bullet firing by not pulling the trigger. Of course, he did! IF he was told the gun was cleared and he was told to rehearse for the scene to be filmed, then this is mostly on the person that told him it was cleared and told him to fire it. Yes, he should have confirmed it but when a supposed professional tells you they did their job, most of us would rely upon that.

I get it what you’re saying, but I have taken two classes in how to use a firearm and both of them say it is the one pulling the trigger who is responsible for what happens next. If I were shooting a firearm that I was told had blanks, I would check for the blanks, too. That’s just me, I guess.

 

[Guess Who]

I get it what you’re saying, but I have taken two classes in how to use a firearm and both of them say it is the one pulling the trigger who is responsible for what happens next. If I were shooting a firearm that I was told had blanks, I would check for the blanks, too. That’s just me, I guess.

In this case though, they had a person specifically hired for that position. One would think you could trust the professional that is getting paid to do just that though.

 

[Kimster]

In this case though, they had a person specifically hired for that position. One would think you could trust the professional that is getting paid to do just that though.

This situation proves that you can't and as a responsible person using a firearm, ALWAYS check it yourself.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

What to know about grand jury evidence on actor Alec Baldwin and the 2021 fatal film set shooting

Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in New Mexico

abcnews.go.com

ByMORGAN LEE Associated Press
November 16, 2023, 7:41 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in New Mexico.

A grand jury did not take up the case Thursday and a decision on whether to revive criminal charges against Baldwin still could be weeks away. It's a secretive process without public access, as prosecutors present evidence and witnesses possibly testify without a cross-examination or immediate vetting by defense counsel.

<snip>

Here are some of the recent developments.

Special prosecutors are not only marshaling evidence against Baldwin for the grand jury to consider, but also actively preparing for a scheduled February 2024 trial against “Rust” movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case.

Those preparations for trial include recent subpoenas for documents from producers of “Rust,” and any audio and video recordings held by a Los Angeles film production company that might include Baldwin on the set of “Rust” or his comments about the film elsewhere.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor in Southern California and currently president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, says documents or records uncovered in case against Gutierrez-Reed can be repurposed .

“These can absolutely be used against Baldwin,” he said.

Several previously unreleased video clips of Baldwin on the set of “Rust,” prior to the fatal shooting, emerged Wednesday on NBC News, without indicating who provided the footage. They show Baldwin firing a prop gun outdoors in the desert and voicing concerns about safety.

“You want to go on the other side of the camera? I don't want to shoot toward you,” he says in one clip.

Rahmani says he's seen nothing that would shift core arguments by prosecutors against Baldwin.

“I don’t see how any of this is new evidence. It isn’t,” Rahmani said. “Their theory in the case is going to be that Baldwin pulled the trigger, even though he said he didn't. .... You should never point even a gun at another human being and pull the trigger, even if you believe it contains blanks. That’s their theory of the case. This video doesn’t change any of that.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

More at link. ~Summer

 

[Guess Who]

What to know about grand jury evidence on actor Alec Baldwin and the 2021 fatal film set shooting

Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in New Mexico

abcnews.go.com

ByMORGAN LEE Associated Press
November 16, 2023, 7:41 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in New Mexico.

A grand jury did not take up the case Thursday and a decision on whether to revive criminal charges against Baldwin still could be weeks away. It's a secretive process without public access, as prosecutors present evidence and witnesses possibly testify without a cross-examination or immediate vetting by defense counsel.

<snip>

Here are some of the recent developments.

Special prosecutors are not only marshaling evidence against Baldwin for the grand jury to consider, but also actively preparing for a scheduled February 2024 trial against “Rust” movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the case.

Those preparations for trial include recent subpoenas for documents from producers of “Rust,” and any audio and video recordings held by a Los Angeles film production company that might include Baldwin on the set of “Rust” or his comments about the film elsewhere.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor in Southern California and currently president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, says documents or records uncovered in case against Gutierrez-Reed can be repurposed .

“These can absolutely be used against Baldwin,” he said.

Several previously unreleased video clips of Baldwin on the set of “Rust,” prior to the fatal shooting, emerged Wednesday on NBC News, without indicating who provided the footage. They show Baldwin firing a prop gun outdoors in the desert and voicing concerns about safety.

“You want to go on the other side of the camera? I don't want to shoot toward you,” he says in one clip.

Rahmani says he's seen nothing that would shift core arguments by prosecutors against Baldwin.

“I don’t see how any of this is new evidence. It isn’t,” Rahmani said. “Their theory in the case is going to be that Baldwin pulled the trigger, even though he said he didn't. .... You should never point even a gun at another human being and pull the trigger, even if you believe it contains blanks. That’s their theory of the case. This video doesn’t change any of that.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

More at link. ~Summer

I'm not sure how any of that changes anything. How was one supposed to not aim and or pull the trigger if the entire purpose of that scene rehearsal was to capture the bullet leaving the barrel by looking down the barrel in the shot? To do that, requires one to pull the trigger. If they had chosen to do CGI as they were suggested they should do, we wouldn't be here right now. If they were rehearsing the scene without him pulling the trigger, there would be absolutely no need for the gun to be loaded with anything, whether bullet or blank. This is why I'm not buying the "I didn't put the trigger" part.