June 29th 2024.
The legal battle surrounding the fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" in 2021 continues as a court ruling has paved the way for the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin to proceed to trial. Despite the defense's efforts to have the case dismissed due to concerns about damaged evidence, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sided with the prosecutors and denied their motion.
The ruling removes one of the last obstacles before the case can go to trial, with jury selection set for July 9 in Santa Fe. Once the trial begins, both the prosecution and defense will call upon a list of over 60 witnesses, including film director Joel Souza and assistant director Dave Halls who were both present during the shooting. Baldwin himself has the right to testify at his own trial.
During a rehearsal for a scene in "Rust," Baldwin pointed a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, resulting in her death and Souza's injury. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger, but instead, pulled back the gun's hammer. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
The FBI's involvement in the case has been a point of contention, as they conducted an accidental discharge test on the gun, which ultimately broke it. Prosecutors plan to present evidence at trial that supports their argument that the gun could not have fired without the trigger being pulled. Baldwin's legal team has argued that this destructive testing may have destroyed potentially exculpatory evidence.
Despite the defense's concerns, the judge ruled that the destruction of internal components of the gun is not highly prejudicial to a fair trial. She also stated that Baldwin's team failed to show evidence of bad faith by investigators. The judge also noted that there is other evidence that can be used to determine the functionality of the gun on the day of the shooting.
While the legal proceedings continue, the filming of "Rust" has resumed in Montana, under an agreement with Halyna Hutchins' husband, who is now an executive producer on the film. The completed movie has yet to be released for public viewing.
As the case heads towards trial, both the prosecution and defense have been preparing their arguments and questioning witnesses in online hearings. The recent testimony about the gun and the FBI's forensic testing has provided a preview of what may be to come in the trial.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, justice will ultimately prevail as the truth about the events leading to the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins is revealed. To stay updated on all the latest developments in this case and other breaking news, follow us on WhatsApp. Our channel provides real-time updates without any comments or algorithms, ensuring your privacy and keeping your personal information secure.
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