Alec Baldwin faces trial for shooting at Rust cinema

In a significant development, a judge in New Mexico has rejected Alec Baldwin’s Motion to dismiss the manslaughter charge in connection with the shooting of the cameraman Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film rust. Judge Mary Marlowe Summer ruled Friday that the case had been properly presented to a grand jury, increasing the likelihood that Baldwin’s trial will proceed this summer. Baldwin’s lawyers have raised several objections to the prosecution’s handling of the case. The incident occurred in 2021 when Baldwin, practicing with an old-fashioned revolver, accidentally fired a live bullet that tragically killed Hutchins. Baldwin’s defense attorneys argued that prosecutors failed to present crucial evidence to the grand jury that could have bolstered Baldwin’s case. They claimed prosecutors “shielded the jury from witnesses” who would testify that it was not Baldwin’s responsibility to ensure the gun was safe to handle.

However, in her written order, Judge Marlowe Sommer acknowledged that the prosecution acted in good faith and that the grand jury was properly informed of the defense’s evidence and witnesses, even if it chose not to consider them. “The court is not in a position to second-guess the grand jury’s decision in this regard,” she wrote.

The judge’s decision addressed the specifics of grand jury proceedings in New Mexico, where the defense cannot call witnesses during the presentation of a case. Instead, they can provide the prosecution with a letter detailing all exculpatory evidence and favorable witnesses. Since the shooting on October 21, 2021, Baldwin has repeatedly claimed he was not responsible for Hutchins’ death, arguing he had no reason to believe the gun contained live ammunition, which was prohibited on the set of. rustBaldwin also stated that he did not pull the trigger, but claimed that a shot was fired from the gun when he cocked and released the hammer.

Baldwin’s defense says he had no reason to believe the gun was loaded

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Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s request for a retrial was denied.

Despite Baldwin’s efforts to have the charges dropped, including a motion arguing that the gun was damaged during FBI testing, Judge Marlowe Sommer has not yet ruled on other defense motions. Baldwin’s defense also pointed to the conviction of Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s gunsmith, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison for manslaughter. They argued that Baldwin had no reason to believe the gun was loaded with live ammunition, citing industry standards that say live ammunition should never be on a film set.

Prosecutors counter that Baldwin ignored important safety protocols on the day of the shooting, refused to participate in the gunsmith’s safety check and handled the weapon improperly during practice. “He violated decades-old gun safety regulations and set safety standards by pointing the weapon at a person, cocking it and pulling the trigger.” Kari T. Morrisseywrote the prosecutor.

As things stand, Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to begin in July, and the denial of his motion to dismiss is a critical step toward resolving this high-profile case.