Alec Baldwin could be charged again in the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after a bombshell new gun analysis concluded that the trigger was pulled — despite the actor’s repeated denials.
Experts in ballistics and forensic testing based in Arizona and New Mexico on Tuesday released a report examining the Colt .45 revolver used on set and markings it left on a spent cartridge.
The analysis found that the trigger had to have been either pulled or depressed.
“Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,” reads the report led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona.
“This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger,” the experts continued.
The analysts relied on replacement parts to reassemble the gun, pieces of which were broken during earlier testing by the FBI.
New Mexico special prosecutor Kari Morrissey handling the “Rust” case said in an email Tuesday that a formal announcement on whether to refile any charges against Baldwin is pending but did not give a timeline.
Baldwin, 65, has maintained that the revolver discharged accidentally after he followed instructions to point it toward Hutchins, who was behind the camera during rehearsal while filming the low-budget Western.
Baldwin insisted that he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the Colt fired, fatally striking Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021, at a movie ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.
Special prosecutors dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April without prejudice, citing information that the revolver might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned.
They commissioned the new analysis of the gun, along with other weapons and ammunition from the set of “Rust,” and wrote in a June court filing that Baldwin could still face charges.
https://nypost.com/2023/08/16/alec-baldwin-could-be-charged-again-over-rust-shooting/
