Alec Baldwin’s lawyer argues the Rust gunshot incident was ‘misconstrued’

Alec Baldwin’s lawyer argues the Rust gunshot incident was ‘misconstrued’

The attorney for Alec Baldwin asserts that the FBI report claiming the actor pressed the trigger on the revolver he used to inadvertently kill Halyna Hutchins was’misconstrued,’ reiterating that the malfunctioning firearm discharged on its own.

Baldwin had to squeeze the shot in order to mortally injure Hutchins, the 42-year-old cinematographer of Baldwin’s Western film Rust, according to the FBI investigation, which was released last week. The FBI report is misinterpreted. When the hammer was moved back during testing, the pistol shot just once — without the need to pull the trigger — and shattered in two distinct locations.

“The FBI was unable to fire the pistol in any previous test, even while squeezing the trigger, due to its terrible condition,” he told DailyMail.com in a statement.

He argued that the only reports that matter and accurately depict what transpired are those compiled by New Mexico’s officials.

Baldwin was overcome with sadness when he learned that Halyna Hutchins had died as a consequence of the unintended injuries he had inflicted.

The critical report comes from the medical examiner, who found that a sad accident had occurred.

“This is the third time New Mexico authorities have determined that Alec Baldwin had no authority or knowledge of allegedly harmful circumstances on the set, that he was assured by the person in charge of safety on the set that the pistol was “cold,” and that he thought the rifle to be safe. The FBI has not yet made its report public.

ABC News nonetheless secured a copy of the report and reported its crucial conclusion that the pistol ‘could not be made to fire without a pull of the trigger while the internal functioning components were intact and functional.’Baldwin was adamant that the sheriff's investigators should question Hannah Gutierrez, pictured, the armorer, about the shootingVideo shows investigators telling the actor that Hutchins, 42, had succumbed to her injuries, with Baldwin instantly saying 'no' as he lurched back into his seat in shock. Baldwin, 64, is seen raising his hand to his mouth as he looks between the two investigators in stunned silenceA new FBI report claims that Baldwin must have pulled the trigger to fire the shot which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust last yearThe actor, pictured with Hutchins and director Joel Souza, also injured Souza in the same incident with the .45 ColtBaldwin, buckled over in grief, after being told Halyna Hutchins had died as a result of the injuries he accidentally caused

Prosecutors have not yet determined whether or not to pursue charges in the case, stating that they are reviewing the most recent allegations and awaiting mobile phone data from Baldwin’s counsel.Baldwin, who also was a producer on the movie 'Rust,' has previously said the gun should not have been loaded for the rehearsal

On October 21, Baldwin was pointing a pistol at cinematographer Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. They had been inside a tiny church while setting up a scenario for shooting. Hannah Gutierrez Reed, a spokeswoman for the film’s armorer, said that she has been made a scapegoat after the incident.

Baldwin was insistent that the sheriff’s detectives interrogate photographed armorer Hannah Gutierrez about the incident.
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Baldwin was insistent that the sheriff’s detectives interrogate photographed armorer Hannah Gutierrez about the incident.

The spokesperson also stated, “The newly released FBI report shows the revolver was in good working order and that Baldwin pulled the trigger to fire the revolver, directly contradicting his prior statements and those of Assistant Director Halls, through his attorney, who also claimed Baldwin did not pull the trigger.”

Baldwin’s legal team saw the medical investigator’s findings as more evidence that the shooting was “a sad accident” and that he should not face criminal charges. However, it is too early to judge how much weight the report will have with the district attorney’s office.

“This is the third time that the New Mexico authorities have determined that Alec Baldwin had no authority or knowledge of the allegedly unsafe conditions on the set, that he was told by the person in charge of safety on the set that the gun was “cold,” and that he believed the gun to be safe,” Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas said in a statement.

Baldwin said in a December interview with ABC News that he was following Hutchins’ instructions when the pistol discharged on the set of the Western picture ‘Rust’. He said that he had not pulled the trigger.

The FBI investigation indicated that, with the hammer in the fully cocked position, the pistol could not be forced to fire without pushing the trigger as long as the internal components remained functioning.

During FBI testing, the trigger sear and cylinder stop shattered when the hammer was hit, according to investigators. The trigger sear is the section of the trigger mechanism that holds the hammer back until sufficient pressure is applied to the trigger.

Baldwin, who also produced the film “Rust,” has previously said that the pistol should not have been loaded during the rehearsal.
Baldwin, who also produced the film “Rust,” has previously said that the pistol should not have been loaded during the rehearsal.

This resulted in the hammer falling and the firing pin detonating the priming.

The study claimed, “This was the lone successful discharge throughout testing, and it was attributable to the fracture of internal components rather than the failure of the weapon or safety devices.”

According to the FBI investigation, it was unknown how many times the revolver’s hammer may have been hit during testing.

Baldwin, who was also a producer on the film “Rust,” previously said that the pistol should not have been loaded during the practice.

In the building where the incident took place, live ammo was discovered on a cart and in a holster. Additionally, blank and fake cartridges were detected.

In an April investigation, the Occupational Health and Safety Bureau of New Mexico documented safety failings in violation of normal industry norms, including evidence that production supervisors took little or no action to resolve two misfires on set previous to the deadly shooting.

The bureau also recorded concerns from crew members about firearm safety that went unanswered and said that weapons experts were not permitted to make choices regarding extra safety training.

In concluding that the shooting was an accident, the medical investigator’s office in New Mexico cited “the lack of clear intent to inflict damage or death” and claimed that there was “no convincing evidence” that the handgun was loaded with live bullets on the set.