Alec Baldwin "blatantly lied" to clear himself of the fatal shooting that cost the life of the director of photography of his western "Rust", and his negligence compromised the safety of the shoot, prosecutors in charge of the investigation said. affair.
The filming of this film turned into a drama in October 2021 on a ranch in New Mexico, in the southwest of the United States.
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Up to 18 months imprisonment
Alec Baldwin had pointed a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but a very real projectile had killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
Accused of manslaughter, the actor risks up to 18 months in prison. He maintains that he was assured that his weapon was harmless and his defense is trying to have his trial, scheduled for July, canceled.
He also denies having pulled the trigger, which is "absurd at first glance", insist the prosecutors in charge of the case, in documents published Monday, calling for the continuation of the trial.
Avoid liability
An FBI investigation concluded that the gun held by the actor could not have fired without pulling the trigger. The actor “blatantly lied about his behavior” on set, changing his version to avoid any responsibility, prosecutors continue.
In his first interview with police, the actor did not claim that the gun went off by itself, or that Ms. Hutchins told him to point the gun at her. These elements are part of a “narrative” that Alec Baldwin subsequently developed in the American media, they note.
Prosecutors criticize the attitude of the actor, who was also a producer on “Rust”. According to witnesses, “he yelled regularly” at everyone and wanted to finish the film faster. “Alec Balwin's pressure against the crew on the film set regularly compromised security,” denounces the accusation, criticizing “a man who has no control over his emotions”.
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Negligence and inexperience
The film's gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of manslaughter in early March. His sentence is due to be pronounced on Monday.
According to the prosecution, his repeated negligence allowed the introduction of live ammunition on the set, in defiance of all the rules of the film industry.
“The combination of Hannah Gutierrez’s negligence and inexperience and Alec Baldwin’s complete lack of concern for the safety of those around him proved deadly,” prosecutors charge.