Actor Alec Baldwin brandished a firearm on the movie set where a cinematographer was fatally shot, as disclosed in court proceedings.
During the trial of the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, video evidence showcased that Mr. Baldwin instructed her to reload the gun more rapidly.
Ms. Gutierrez-Reed denies allegations of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.
Mr. Baldwin was holding the gun when it discharged. He maintains that he did not pull the trigger and has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
The actor, who also served as a producer on the film “Rust,” is anticipated to undergo a separate trial in July.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins tragically lost her life in an incident on the set near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021.
The footage displayed on Thursday depicted Mr. Baldwin gesturing with a pistol loaded with blanks and firing the gun in proximity to camera operators, as reported by the news.
Additionally, he queried Ms. Gutierrez-Reed about the availability of more weapons.
Following the director’s call of “cut,” he exclaimed, “One more! One more! One more! Right away! Let’s reload!”
He was also heard suggesting, “We should have two guns, and we’re both reloading.”
Prosecutors have asserted that Mr. Baldwin jeopardized safety by hastening production.
Firearms expert Bryan Carpenter, testifying for the prosecution, emphasized that Ms. Gutierrez-Reed should not have succumbed to pressure to hasten.
“Rushing with firearms and telling someone to rush with firearms is not normal nor accepted,” he articulated in court.
“In a situation like that, when you’re getting rushed to that extent, that’s when safety starts to fall by the wayside.”
When questioned about footage depicting Mr. Baldwin demonstrating how he would hold the gun, Mr. Carpenter remarked, “He’s using the weapon as a pointing stick.”
First assistant director Dave Halls, who also provided testimony on Thursday, defended the actor. “There was never any Mr. Baldwin rushing anybody,” he asserted, according to Reuters.
In a heartfelt testimony, Mr. Halls admitted responsibility, stating he failed to conduct a final check on the gun.
Last year, Mr. Halls entered a plea of no contest to negligent use of a deadly weapon and received a suspended six-month sentence.
As the armorer, Ms. Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for firearms on the film set. She could face up to three years in prison if convicted.
Involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin were dropped last April, just two weeks before his scheduled trial, but were reinstated in January following the revelation of new forensic evidence by New Mexico prosecutors.
