New Mexico prosecutors have confirmed that Alec Baldwin may face new criminal charges related to the fatal shooting on the set of the film ‘Rust’ in 2021. After an extensive investigation, additional facts have emerged that suggest Mr. Baldwin’s potential criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza.
This development has led prosecutors to believe it is necessary to let a panel of New Mexico citizens determine whether Mr. Baldwin should be held for a criminal trial. In response to these claims, Baldwin’s lawyers from Quinn Emanuel expressed their disappointment, stating that this misguided prosecution has twisted a terrible tragedy. They reiterated their willingness to address any charges in court.
Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis intend to present their case to a grand jury in the coming months, and it will be their responsibility to assess whether there is probable cause to pursue criminal charges against Baldwin. Initially, in January, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, more than a year after the incident occurred.
However, those charges were dismissed in April due to the need for further investigation and forensic analysis, which couldn’t be completed before a scheduled preliminary hearing in May.
The unfortunate incident took place on the set of a Western film in New Mexico, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins lost her life, and director Joel Souza was injured by a bullet fired from a gun Baldwin was holding while rehearsing a scene in a church.
Baldwin has consistently denied pulling the trigger of the weapon that caused Hutchins’ death. Nevertheless, his production company was recently ordered by a judge to provide documents to the prosecutors, who suspect potential negligence on safety measures in pursuit of higher profits.
‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who entered a not guilty plea in August on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, alleged that additional safety training was denied due to financial motives.
The state has now scheduled new hearing dates for Gutierrez Reed’s criminal proceedings, which will take place from the end of February through March. Furthermore, the pre-trial interview of David Halls, the assistant director of ‘Rust,’ has been completed following the filing of a notice of completion of briefing by the state.
Despite these legal challenges, Baldwin still faces several civil lawsuits, including one filed by ‘Rust’ script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, as well as a lawsuit filed by Hutchins’ mother, father, and sister. These plaintiffs are represented by attorney Gloria Allred. Amidst all the legal drama, it is important to note that the filming of ‘Rust’ was successfully completed in May, with the cast and crew persevering through difficult circumstances.
With the recent development of potential new criminal charges, the case surrounding Alec Baldwin has taken another turn. New Mexico prosecutors have uncovered additional facts during their thorough investigation of the tragic ‘Rust’ shooting.
They believe that these new facts demonstrate Mr. Baldwin’s criminal responsibility in the untimely death of Halyna Hutchins and the injury sustained by Joel Souza during the incident.
As the investigation progresses, Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis have concluded that it is crucial to involve the judgment of a panel of New Mexico citizens.
This panel will determine whether Mr. Baldwin should face a criminal trial for his alleged involvement in the shooting. Meanwhile, Baldwin’s legal team from Quinn Emanuel has expressed their disappointment in the prosecution’s handling of the case, emphasizing that a terrible tragedy has been misrepresented.
In light of these developments, Morrissey and Lewis plan to present their case to a grand jury within the next two months. The grand jury will be responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether there is enough probable cause to proceed with criminal charges against Baldwin. This significant step comes several months after Baldwin was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in January.
Although these charges were ultimately dismissed in April, the investigation continued as further examination and analysis were necessary before proceeding with a preliminary hearing. Despite the setbacks, Baldwin maintained his stance, denying any responsibility for the gun’s discharge that took Halyna Hutchins’ life. However, his production company faces scrutiny for potential safety shortfalls aimed at increasing profits.
This aspect of the case has drawn attention to the ‘Rust’ armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who has previously entered a not guilty plea on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.
Gutierrez Reed’s legal team believes that the pursuit of financial gain may have led to the denial of additional safety training, adding a deeper layer to the ongoing investigation.
As the legal proceedings unfold, there have been new hearing dates set for Gutierrez Reed’s criminal proceedings, scheduled from the end of February through March. Additionally, the state has filed a notice of completion of briefing, indicating progress, after the pre-trial interview of David Halls, the ‘Rust’ assistant director.
While Baldwin grapples with potential criminal charges, he also faces numerous civil lawsuits. Mamie Mitchell, the script supervisor on ‘Rust,’ along with Hutchins’ mother, father, and sister, have filed separate lawsuits against him.
Legal representation for the plaintiffs is provided by attorney Gloria Allred. Amidst this legal turmoil, it is important to acknowledge the resilience of the cast and crew, who managed to complete filming ‘Rust’ in May despite the challenges they faced.
The new developments in Alec Baldwin’s case have cast fresh light on the tragic incident that occurred on the set of ‘Rust.’ The New Mexico prosecutors’ thorough investigation has revealed additional facts that appear to implicate Baldwin in this unfortunate event. These facts, which only recently came to light, indicate that Baldwin may have played a criminal role in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the injury of Joel Souza.
To ensure a fair judgment, Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis believe it is essential to involve an impartial panel of New Mexico citizens in deciding Baldwin’s fate. Consequently, they propose that this panel should determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial against him. However, Baldwin’s legal team from Quinn Emanuel feels that the prosecution is misguided in its approach, arguing that the tragedy should not have been turned into a criminal case.
Looking ahead, Morrissey and Lewis plan to present their case to a grand jury in the next two months. The grand jury, comprised of informed individuals, will weigh the evidence and decide whether sufficient probable cause exists to press criminal charges against Baldwin. The events following the initial charge of involuntary manslaughter in January have led to a complex legal process that necessitates thorough investigation and analysis.
The unfortunate incident during the filming of ‘Rust’ involved the loss of Halyna Hutchins’ life and the injury of Joel Souza. Baldwin consistently maintains his innocence, asserting that he did not pull the trigger of the gun responsible for Hutchins’ death. However, a judge has recently ordered his production company to turn over documents for investigation amid suspicions of compromising safety measures for higher profits.
The attention has now turned to ‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who pleaded not guilty in August to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Gutierrez Reed’s defense claims that safety training was withheld due to financial motivations, further adding complexity to the ongoing probe. New hearing dates for Gutierrez Reed’s criminal proceedings have been scheduled, allowing the legal process to move forward.
Baldwin finds himself facing not only potential criminal charges but also various civil lawsuits. ‘Rust’ script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, as well as Hutchins’ mother, father, and sister, have all filed lawsuits against him. Notably, attorney Gloria Allred represents the plaintiffs in their pursuit of justice amidst the legal turmoil. Despite these challenges, the production of ‘Rust’ managed to reach completion in May, a testament to the resilience of the cast and crew.
New Mexico Prosecutors Considering New Criminal Charges Against Alec Baldwin in ‘Rust’ Shooting appeared first on Real News Now.
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