While prosecutors have shifted their focus away from Alec Baldwin in the tragic 2021 incident involving the death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, they continue to direct accusations toward the producers of the low-budget Western. In a recent hearing tied to the trial of Rust’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed—currently the sole individual facing charges in Hutchins’ passing—prosecutors didn’t hold back, alleging that Rust Productions had interfered with the criminal investigation. Special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey firmly stated, “This entire tragedy occurred because Rust Productions cut corners every chance they could, and they hired inexperienced and ill-equipped crew members.”
During the livestreamed hearing, prosecutors turned some attention back to Alec Baldwin, seeking to ascertain his role as a producer on the film. This inquiry aims to determine if he had any involvement in the purported corner-cutting practices that may have contributed to Hutchins’ tragic demise. Prosecutors are pressing for access to documents detailing the film’s behind-the-scenes operations, a request the producers have deemed “burdensome.
Alec Baldwin has consistently maintained that he never discharged the revolver that tragically fired during a rehearsal on October 21, 2021, resulting in Hutchins’ tragic passing and director Joel Souza’s injuries. Instead, Baldwin has raised questions about the presence of a live bullet on the set, a query that has garnered significant attention over the past two years and is expected to be a pivotal aspect of Gutierrez-Reed’s trial. Charges against Baldwin were dropped, in part due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding the forensic examination of the weapon, which reportedly sustained damage during initial tests.