During the filming of the western movie “Rust,” where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed, a police officer testified Thursday that a real projectile was found in Alec Baldwin’s supposed blank bullet belt.
• Read also: Alec Baldwin accused of violating safety rules, defense claims unforeseeable ‘tragedy’
While on a ranch in New Mexico, Baldwin, thinking he was using a gun with blanks, unknowingly fired a real projectile.
Crime scene technician Marissa Poppell testified at the trial that several live projectiles were mixed with blanks on the set of the Western.
She stated that a live projectile was discovered in Alec Baldwin’s bullet belt.
“You had no reason to believe that Mr. Baldwin knew there was a bullet there?” asked Baldwin’s lawyer, Alex Spiro. “That’s correct,” replied Marissa Poppell.
She also mentioned that another actor, Jensen Ackles, had a live projectile in his waistband, but there was no indication that he was aware of it.
The jury was shown photos of boxes of ammunition with live rounds mixed in with fake ones, making it difficult to distinguish between them.
Gunsmith convicted
In court in Santa Fe on Wednesday, prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson accused Baldwin of mishandling a real gun and disregarding basic firearm safety rules.
However, Baldwin’s lawyer argued that Baldwin did not know the gun was loaded and that, as an actor, he was not responsible for checking the weapon’s contents.
Alex Spiro blamed the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and first assistant, David Halls.
The gunsmith was sentenced to 18 months in prison by the same court earlier this year.
The death of Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old cinematographer from Ukraine known for her work on investigative documentaries, has shaken the film industry.
She was fatally shot during a rehearsal in a small chapel on an iconic Western ranch in New Mexico.
It is uncertain whether Baldwin will testify, with some experts advising once morest it as it might lead to a challenging cross-examination due to Baldwin’s reputation for being temperamental.
The trial is expected to conclude next Friday, followed by jury deliberations. The 66-year-old actor might face a maximum of 18 months in prison.
Alec Baldwin Trial: Live Projectile Found in Bullet Belt During Fatal Accident on Set of ‘Rust’
In a shocking turn of events during the filming of the western “Rust”, actor Alec Baldwin’s bullet belt was found to contain a real projectile, leading to the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. This revelation came to light during Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter, where a police officer testified to the presence of live projectiles mixed with blanks on the movie set.
The incident took place on a ranch in New Mexico, where Baldwin, unaware of the real bullet in his weapon, fired the fatal shot that claimed the life of Halyna Hutchins. Crime scene technician Marissa Poppell testified that not only was a live projectile found in Baldwin’s bullet belt, but actor Jensen Ackles also unknowingly had a live projectile in his waistband.
The trial shed light on the negligence and lack of safety precautions on the set of “Rust”, with photos of boxes of ammunition showing a mix of live and fake rounds that were difficult to distinguish. The blame was not solely placed on Baldwin, as his defense argued that he had no reason to believe the gun was loaded and was not responsible for checking its contents as an actor.
Instead, the spotlight turned to the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and first assistant, David Halls, who were held accountable for the mishandling of firearms on set. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted earlier this year and is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for her role in the tragedy.
The death of Halyna Hutchins sent shockwaves through the film industry, highlighting the importance of strict safety protocols when handling firearms on set. The trial, which is expected to conclude next Friday with jury deliberations to follow, might potentially result in Baldwin facing up to 18 months in prison for his involvement in the incident.
As the trial continues, the question remains whether Baldwin will testify in his defense, a move that experts warn might open him up to a challenging cross-examination. The outcome of the trial will not only impact Baldwin’s future but also serve as a cautionary tale for the film industry on the importance of prioritizing safety above all else.
In conclusion, the tragic events that unfolded during the filming of “Rust” serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of working with firearms on set. It is crucial for all individuals involved in the production of a film to prioritize safety measures and ensure that proper protocols are followed to prevent such tragic incidents from reoccurring. Let this serve as a wake-up call for the industry to reevaluate their safety standards and prioritize the well-being of their cast and crew above all else.