Did Alec Baldwin pull the trigger in 'Rust' shooting? New forensic report hints actor may be charged again
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alec Baldwin, 65, may still face charges in the ‘Rust’ shooting case, as per a new firearm report that emphasized that the gun’s trigger might have been pulled “sufficiently.”
While Baldwin has repeatedly claimed that he did not pull the trigger in the accident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, he may get called in court once again after the release of the forensic report.
Did Alec Baldwin pull the trigger in 'Rust' shooting?
The ‘Rust’ actor and producer Alec Baldwin has repeatedly claimed he did not pull the trigger in the shooting that killed the cinematographer. However, a new forensic report has concluded that the trigger of the prop Colt .45 revolver containing live rounds must have been pulled “sufficiently” enough to cause the fatal accident, reports People.
The report says, “Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.”
The report, written by firearms experts Lucien Haag and Mike Haag who were hired by the State of New Mexico in its case against the weapons supervisor of the film Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, continues, “This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger.”
What does the new firearms report in ‘Rust’ shooting say?
The new report further continues, "The gun and broken sear have been sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing.”
Regarding the ‘Beetlejuice’ actor, the report reads, “The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly effects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez.”
“If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed," the experts wrote, adding that a final charging decision for Baldwin is expected to made within the next 60 days of that filing.
Even though the gun initially broke during its examination, it was reassembled. The report added that the gun “was found to function properly and in accordance with the operational design of original Colt 1873 single-action revolvers.”
The report added, “The full-cock step on the hammer had been severely damaged, the top of the trigger’s sear was broken off and the bolt (cylinder stop) was also broken” due to the incident, however, there was no indication of “any modification to the gun," the report reads.
Why were charges against Alec Baldwin dropped?
Per AP News, the involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin were formally dropped as prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said there was new evidence along with a need for more time to investigate.
However, the special prosecutors added that the “decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled.”
The prosecutors did not say more about the matter, vaguely addressing it only once during a virtual status conference in the case against weapons supervisor of the film, Gutierrez-Reed.
Who died in 'Rust' shooting?
The cinematographer of the western-themed film, Halyna Hutchins, 42, died during the shooting. In the incident, writer-director Joel Souza was also wounded. During the incident in October 2021, Baldwin was holding the fully loaded gun when it discharged accidentally killing Hutchins.
At that time, Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter by the Santa Fe County District Attorney's Office of New Mexico.
