(Headline USA) Alec Baldwin could be charged again for his role in a fatal shooting on the set of Rust in October 2021, following a new report from independent forensic firearms experts that concluded Baldwin pulled the trigger of the gun in order for it to fire.
Special prosecutors dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charges against Bladwin in April, but noted the charges could be refiled depending on what the independent forensic investigation found.
“The gun and broken sear have been sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing. The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly effects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez,” they said at the time. “If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed.”
The forensic report, released this week, found that the prop gun used by Baldwin did not just malfunction but was triggered manually.
“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,” the report reads. “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.”
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that new charges against Baldwin are being “considered” but said a “final decision” has not yet been made.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied pulling the trigger of the gun, denying any responsibility for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
“I let go of the hammer of the gun,” Baldwin told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “And the gun goes off. I didn’t pull the trigger. The gun was supposed to be empty.”
