But charges against Baldwin were dropped once already and the trial of Gutierrez was Hollywood’s first for an on-set fatal shooting in nearly 30 years.
She is due to be sentenced on April 15 and faces up to 18 months in state prison.
Baldwin’s lawyers argued that prosecutors have “publicly dragged Baldwin through the cesspool created by their improprieties.”
Apart from those broadsides, defense lawyers offered legal arguments including that the state withheld “substantial exculpatory and favorable evidence” from the grand jury.
Halyna Hutchins died when the reproduction Colt. 45 revolver Baldwin was rehearsing with fired a live round that also wounded director Joel Souza.Getty Images for AMC Networks
The Colt. 45 revolver Alec Baldwin was using at the time of the shooting is displayed during the trial against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on Feb. 22, 2024.AP
For example, they said prosecutors failed to call a witness who would have testified that Baldwin’s role as producer was purely for creative purposes and he had no role in enforcing safety protocols or hiring crew.
They cited precedents where judges dismissed indictments when prosecutors kept evidence favorable to the defense from being heard by the grand jury.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said she would respond in court and had 14 days to file a reply.
In New Mexico, defense lawyers can call witnesses to a grand jury if the defendant testifies. In Baldwin’s case, he did not take the stand at the January grand jury proceeding.
Prosecutors must alert the grand jury of witnesses and evidence the defense has presented and give jurors the chance to hear those witnesses and see evidence, if requested.
Baldwin faces two counts of manslaughter, one for negligent use of a firearm and another for failure to exercise due caution.
The fourth-degree felonies carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.
Gutierrez is due to be sentenced on April 15 and faces up to 18 months in state prison.Santa Fe County Corrections
Baldwin was first charged with involuntary manslaughter in January of 2023.
The charge was dismissed three months later when his lawyers presented evidence the revolver Baldwin was using had been modified and it could fire without the trigger being pulled.
Baldwin was first charged with involuntary manslaughter in January of 2023.Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office/AFP via Getty Images
Initial charges were dismissed three months after Baldwin’s arrest when his lawyers presented evidence the revolver Baldwin was using had been modified and it could fire without the trigger being pulled.AP
The “30 Rock” actor has denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death, saying the gun went off without him pulling the trigger.
Morrissey in January called a grand jury to indict Baldwin after an independent test of the gun found it would not fire without the trigger being pulled.
The test confirmed a previous FBI examination.
https://nypost.com/2024/03/15/us-news/alec-baldwin-asks-judge-to-dismiss-charges-in-rust-shooting/
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