Current:Home > StocksAlec Baldwin asks judge to dismiss involuntary manslaughter indictment in 'Rust' case-LoTradeCoin
Alec Baldwin asks judge to dismiss involuntary manslaughter indictment in 'Rust' case
View Date:2024-12-23 16:54:55
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO — Attorneys for Alec Baldwin urged a New Mexico judge on Thursday to dismiss a grand jury indictment against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie "Rust."
His attorneys in a new court filing accused prosecutors of "unfairly stacking the deck" against Baldwin in grand jury proceedings that diverted attention away from exculpatory evidence and witnesses.
The indictment in January charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021, at a movie ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
That prevented the jury from asserting their obligation to hear testimony from director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting while standing near Hutchins, as well as assistant director and safety coordinator Dave Halls and props master Sarah Zachry.
'Rust' movie shooting trialsWhat happens next for Alec Baldwin and his armorer?
"The grand jury did not receive the favorable or exculpatory testimony and documents that the state had an obligation to present," said the court motion signed by defense attorney Luke Nikas. "Nor was the grand jury told it had a right to review and the obligation to request this information."
The motion also asserts that the grand jury received inaccurate and one-sided testimony about the revolver involved in the fatal shooting.
"Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted by a jury last week in the shooting and is being held without bond pending an April sentencing hearing. Involuntary manslaughter carries a felony sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and injuring Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the gun's hammer, but not the trigger.
Prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed at a two-week trial for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the set of "Rust" where it was expressly prohibited. They also said she failed to follow basic gun-safety protocols.
Halls last year pleaded no contest to negligent handling of a firearm and completed a sentence of six months of unsupervised probation.
Baldwin is scheduled for trial in July.
veryGood! (74311)
Related
- Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn’s SKIMS Holiday Pajamas Are Selling Out Fast—Here’s What’s Still Available
- Poet Rupi Kaur declines invitation to White House Diwali celebration over U.S. response to Israel-Hamas war
- Rare video shows world's largest species of fish slurping up anchovies in Hawaii
- Former Louisiana House speaker chosen as Gov.-elect Jeff Landry’s chief budget adviser
- 15 new movies you'll want to stream this holiday season, from 'Emilia Perez' to 'Maria'
- Who has surprised in 2023: Charting how the NFL power rankings have shifted this season
- Pregnant Ashley Benson and Brandon Davis Are Married
- Man exonerated on Philadelphia murder charge 17 years after being picked up for violating curfew
- 'Bizarre:' Naked man arrested after found in crawl space of California woman's home
- 3 charged with running sex ring that catered to elected officials, other wealthy clients
Ranking
- Voyager 2 is the only craft to visit Uranus. Its findings may have misled us for 40 years.
- 'The Marvels' review: Brie Larson and a bunch of cats are the answer to superhero fatigue
- Los Angeles coroner’s investigator accused of stealing a crucifix from around the neck of a dead man
- NYC mayor retains lawyer in federal fundraising probe, but plays down concern
- 'Squid Game' creator lost '8 or 9' teeth making Season 1, explains Season 2 twist
- Philadelphia Eagles' Jason Kelce featured in People's 'Sexiest Man Alive' issue for 2023
- Mega Millions winning numbers for Nov. 7 drawing: Jackpot rises $223 million
- Netanyahu and Orbán’s close ties bring Israel’s Euro 2024 qualifying matches to Hungary
Recommendation
-
Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
-
Former NFL Player Matt Ulrich Dead at 41
-
Pacific leaders to meet on beautiful island to discuss climate change and other regional concerns
-
Grand Ole ... Cirque du Soleil? New show will celebrate Nashville's country music
-
UConn, Kansas State among five women's college basketball games to watch this weekend
-
Mount St. Helens records more than 400 earthquakes since mid-July, but no signs of imminent eruption
-
Why Nia Long Says Breakup From Ime Udoka Was a Wakeup Call for Her After Cheating Scandal
-
RHONY Alum Sonja Morgan Reveals She Had Sex With Owen Wilson Several Times