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The latest on Alec Baldwin’s case in New Mexico. Now, Alec Baldwin’s attorney reported that the state destroyed the firearm that was used in the deadly “Rust” movie-set shooting, according to a status hearing held Thursday. However, a statement from the New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney confirms that the firearm has not been destroyed and is available for review by the defense. The firearm’s components were damaged during FBI’s functionality testing in July 2022 but can still be used as evidence.
As a refresher, Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while handling a gun during filming in October 2021. The actor rehearsed a scene in front of a camera when the gun misfired, injuring Hutchins and the director Joel Souza. While Hutchins died after the incident, Souza survived his injuries.
Now, prosecutors downgraded charges against Baldwin and the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, removing the firearm enhancement penalty from their involuntary manslaughter charges in February. This means both of them may only face up to 18 months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine if convicted of the fourth-degree felony charge.
At Thursday’s hearing, the defense requested a list of the prosecution’s 64 witnesses, and a judge ordered prosecution to identify which ones it plans to call to testify. Attorneys are also trying to get special prosecutor Andrea Reeb removed from the case, arguing that it is unconstitutional for her to be a state representative and a prosecutor. A hearing on this will be scheduled for March 27, while the preliminary hearing examination will begin on May 3 and is expected to take two weeks.
Stay tuned for updates on this case.
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