Alec Baldwin’s Claim of Gun Going Off Without Trigger Pulled Cast in Doubt by Firearms Expert in ‘Rust’ Trial
The trial surrounding the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust” took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as court testimony from firearms expert Lucien Haag challenged Alec Baldwin’s assertion that the gun fired without him pulling the trigger.
Baldwin, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the case, has maintained that the gun discharged unintentionally during a rehearsal outside Santa Fe in 2021. However, Haag’s demonstration of the operation of a Colt single-action revolver similar to the one Baldwin was handling, highlighted the safety features designed to prevent the gun from firing unless the trigger is pulled.
An FBI expert also testified that the revolver used by Baldwin was in working order with safety devices when it arrived at an FBI laboratory, contradicting the claim that the gun malfunctioned. The expert even had to damage the gun with a sledgehammer to make it fire without the trigger being pulled, showing that the safety mechanisms functioned correctly.
The trial also saw testimony from Santa Fe detective Alexandra Hancock, who oversaw the investigation into the shooting. She revealed that the FBI conducted tests on Baldwin’s gun to disprove his claim that he did not pull the trigger, leading to the discovery that the gun operated normally.
Additionally, the defense for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of “Rust,” raised questions about the handling of evidence and interrogations following the shooting. They pointed out that the main ammunition supplier, Seth Kenney, was not thoroughly investigated.
Gutierrez-Reed’s defense maintains that the problems on the set were beyond their client’s control, while prosecutors argue that she brought live ammunition to the set and failed to follow basic gun safety protocols. The trial is ongoing, with further testimony expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
The proceedings have captivated the public’s attention as the legal battle intensifies, and more revelations come to light about the events leading up to the shooting on the set of “Rust.”