The 'Rust' trial concluded abruptly on July 12, and jurors are now revealing why Alec Baldwin was cleared of charges related to the tragic shooting on the film set.
In October 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on the set of the movie 'Rust.' Hutchins was struck by a bullet from a prop gun wielded by actor Alec Baldwin during a scene. The gun, somehow loaded with real ammunition, fired when Baldwin pulled the trigger, resulting in Hutchins' untimely death.
Debate has raged over whether Baldwin, 66, should be held responsible for the incident. The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has already been sentenced to 18 months for involuntary manslaughter.
Jurors Gabriela Picayo and Johanna Haag, speaking to 'The New York Times,' shared insights into the case's dismissal. They expressed doubt about Baldwin's culpability from the beginning. For a conviction, all jurors would have had to unanimously agree on Baldwin's guilt.
"As the week went by, it just didn't, it didn't seem like a very strong case," Haag remarked, adding that Hutchins’ death was "clearly an accident."
Picayo emphasized that Baldwin would have trusted the film's crew to ensure the safety of all on set, particularly regarding weapon safety. "I think he would have trusted the people, you know, on the set to do their job," she said.
The trial, which lasted only two days, concluded with Baldwin’s exoneration.
Following the ruling, Baldwin expressed his gratitude on Instagram. "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now," he posted. "To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family."
The case against Baldwin stemmed from a tragic sequence of events that began with the prop gun being loaded with live ammunition. How this happened remains unclear, but it resulted in an industry-wide reevaluation of on-set safety protocols.
Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for handling weapons on set, accepted a plea deal that included an 18-month sentence. Her legal team argued that she was overburdened with multiple responsibilities, which may have contributed to the oversight.
The case has had significant ramifications for the film industry, particularly regarding the use of firearms on sets. Calls for stricter regulations and improved safety measures have intensified since the incident. Some industry insiders have suggested mandatory firearms training for actors and crew members involved in productions that use guns.
Baldwin, a seasoned actor and producer, maintained that he was following the direction of the film’s crew when the incident occurred. His defense argued that the actor had no reason to suspect the gun was loaded with live ammunition and that the ultimate responsibility lay with those charged with weapon safety.