Prosecutors Allege Weapons Expert in Baldwin Case Engaged in Substance Use

According to prosecutors, the weapons supervisor involved in the tragic incident on the film set of “Rust,” where Alec Baldwin unintentionally shot and killed a cinematographer, is being accused of consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana during the evenings while filming. The prosecutors claim that her actions likely resulted in her being hungover when she mistakenly loaded a live bullet into the revolver used by the actor.

These allegations emerged in response to a motion filed by Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s defense team, seeking the dismissal of her involuntary manslaughter charge. The prosecutors argue that Gutierrez-Reed has a history of reckless behavior and emphasize the importance of holding her accountable for her actions.

Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case, stating, “The prosecution’s case is so weak that they have resorted to launching character assassination claims against Hannah. It appears they have abandoned the pursuit of justice and discovering the actual truth.”

In August, there will be a preliminary hearing for Gutierrez-Reed, during which a judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the involuntary manslaughter charge.

The prosecutors also mentioned that they plan to decide within the next 60 days whether to recharge Alec Baldwin, pending the results of an analysis of the firearm and its broken sear, which have been sent to an independent expert for further examination.

In April, the involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, who was also a producer on the film, was dismissed due to new evidence and the need for additional investigation.

During a rehearsal on the New Mexico film set in October 2021, Baldwin accidentally discharged the firearm, fatally injuring cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza.

Gutierrez-Reed’s defense attorneys argued in their motion that the prosecution’s motives were politically motivated and accused Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and the initial special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, of exploiting the tragic accident to advance their personal interests.

The defense lawyers claim that the gun was irreparably damaged during FBI testing before they had the chance to examine it, constituting the destruction of evidence and violating the court’s discovery rules. They also argue that the selective prosecution of Gutierrez-Reed violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The newly appointed special prosecutors, who took over after Reeb stepped down, disputed these claims, asserting that the prosecution has not engaged in any form of selective treatment.

Additionally, the prosecutors acknowledged that the origin of the live rounds found on the set remains an unanswered question, stating that they are actively investigating to determine the source. They hinted at the possibility of further charges against Gutierrez-Reed if evidence emerges indicating her responsibility for the ammunition on set.

However, the filing did not provide specific details regarding the nature of this evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about weapons expert, substance use, Baldwin case, tragic incident

More about weapons expert, substance use, Baldwin case, tragic incident

• Alec Baldwin Film Set Shooting: Weapons Expert Accused of Substance Use
• Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s Attorney Criticizes Prosecution Handling of the Case
• Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for Gutierrez-Reed
• Dismissal of Involuntary Manslaughter Charge Against Alec Baldwin
• Ongoing Investigation into Source of Live Rounds on Set