Judge denies Alec Baldwin request to drop indictment for 'Rust' shooting

[sl8]

https://www.reuters.com/legal/judge-denies-alec-baldwin-request-drop-indictment-rust-shooting-2024-05-24/

Judge denies Alec Baldwin request to drop indictment for 'Rust' shooting

By Andrew Hay
May 25, 20242:49 AM EDT Updated 5 hours ago

May 24 (Reuters) - A New Mexico judge on Friday rejected Alec Baldwin's bid to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge for the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, opening the way for an unprecedented trial of a Hollywood actor for an on-set death.

Baldwin's lawyers argued at a May 17 hearing that a grand jury indictment of the actor was "a sham" as a New Mexico state prosecutor failed [PDF], opens new tab to tell jurors they could question defense witnesses and stopped them hearing evidence helpful to the actor's case.

District court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, in a court filing, denied the request.

The trial is scheduled to stand trial on July 10.

[...]

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https://www.reuters.com/world/us/prosecution-alec-baldwin-rust-shooting-2024-05-24/

(chronology at link)

Prosecution of Alec Baldwin for 'Rust' shooting

By Andrew Hay
May 24, 2024 7:06 PM EDT Updated 13 hours ago

May 24 (Reuters) - On Oct. 21, 2021 a Colt Single Action Army Revolver actor Alec Baldwin was using to set up a camera shot on the movie "Rust" fired a live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

The following is a chronology of Baldwin's comments in relation to the shooting on a New Mexico film set and events surrounding Hollywood's first on-set fatal shooting in nearly 30 years.

2021
DECEMBER - In an ABC News interview with George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin denies responsibility for the shooting. He says the revolver "went off" on its own and he did not pull the trigger.

2022
JULY - An FBI test of Baldwin's gun finds it "functioned normally." The revolver would not fire from the full cock position without the trigger pulled.

[...]

[Aussie105]

1. When someone handles a gun and it goes wrong

the final responsibility goes to the person holding the gun.

Yes, negligence and incompetence on the part of others was involved.

Sorry Alec, but it is what it is.

[Renew Deal]

2. How will they prove involuntary manslaughter when the gun was supposed to have blanks and...

It was used in an expected way during the course of his job?

[hlthe2b]

4. In the real world, in real life, I totally agree. Not on a movie set for the actor--where expert armorers

Last edited Sat May 25, 2024, 08:54 AM - Edit history (1)

(WEAPONs MASTERS) have both responsibility and full authority and are tasked with safety in the setting of "unreality"

And while I get annoyed at the constant ludicrous defenses of many defense lawyers-- including frequently MSNBC's consultant Danny Cevallos--, he has been clear with his assessment that this is a desire to "make a big splash" for local prosecutors against a big celebrity figure. I'd agree, but I think politics are more behind it. Alec Baldwin likely has many faults but for many--his liberal activism and celebrity are the ones that trouble them most

Baldwin accepted what is conventionally an honorary "producer" title, but in so doing he assumed civil liability for the production--including safety. As such he would be and IS civilly-liable. Criminally? NO.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Baldwin was one of the producers of the film who cut corners

to the point it was not a safe movie set.

Other staff had resigned in the weeks leading up to the death, in protest
for the lack of safety.

[hlthe2b]

5. He should (and IS) being held civily liable.

While I am aware that his "producer" title is a throw-away, mostly honorary label bigshot actors tend to get on many productions and are pretty meaningless, in this case, it is coming back to bite him. So perhaps it will send an important message to others. Even "honorary" producers have to take some responsibility for how the movie set adheres to basic worker safety.

But, criminally liable? No.

[Irish_Dem]

6. If someone accepts a title in most cases there is responsibility for that title.

Yes I hope a message is sent.

Corners were cut for monetary gain. And someone was killed.

I guess we will find out if there is going to be a civil action.
Jury will give us an answer on the criminal side.

[hlthe2b]

7. He has already settled for the civil liability with the Hutchings familly.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/05/entertainment/alec-baldwin-rust-settlement/index.html

[Irish_Dem]

8. Good