Legal Action Against Alec Baldwin for ‘Rust’ Shooting

The tragic shooting incident on the set of the movie “Rust” involving actor Alec Baldwin has taken a series of legal twists and turns, as detailed in a recent chronology of events.

In December, Baldwin denied responsibility for the shooting in an ABC News interview, claiming the revolver “went off” on its own. However, in July, an FBI test found that Baldwin’s gun functioned normally and would not fire without the trigger being pulled.

In January, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter and faced a potential five-year prison sentence. The firearm enhancement charge was later dropped in February, but Baldwin still faces up to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

In March, New Mexico state prosecutor Andrea Reeb resigned after it was revealed she held two posts in state government, a move seen as a win for Baldwin. Two weeks later, another prosecutor resigned, and new special prosecutors were appointed.

In April, charges against Baldwin were dropped after his legal team presented evidence that the revolver was modified to fire without the trigger being pulled. However, prosecutors stated they would refile charges if an independent test confirmed the gun was in normal working condition.

In August, an independent firearms expert found that the gun would not fire without the trigger being pulled, casting doubt on the prosecution’s case. Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter a second time in January, and a trial date was set for July.

In March, the “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for loading a live round into Baldwin’s gun. She was sentenced to the maximum 18 months in state prison in April.

As the case heads towards trial, with no plea deal in sight, the legal battle surrounding the tragic shooting continues to unfold.