Prosecutor argues that Rust Productions’ negligence led to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, leaving open the possibility of charging Alec Baldwin.

Alec Baldwin could still face charges for shooting Rust on set camera operator Halyna Hutchins after prosecutors alleged the production company “cut corners.”

Criminal charges against Baldwin were dropped and the film wrapped filming earlier this year, but he could face further legal trouble if it can be proven that his financial commitment prompted him and his fellow producers to make cuts.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled Tuesday that producers must provide internal documents showing that Baldwin and his production company play the full role of El Dorado Pictures in the film.

Charges could potentially be brought against Baldwin again if it is determined that he would make a profit if production curtailed gun safety.

They want to detail Baldwin’s role after special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued last week that the “entire tragedy occurred because Rust Productions cut corners, hiring inexperienced and poorly equipped crew members every chance it could.”

“Rust Productions has intervened, obstructed or obstructed the criminal investigation in this matter,” Morrissey added, arguing against the effort to stop her subpoena, Morrissey said. Deadline.

Jason Bowles, the attorney for gun dealer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed — the only criminal defendant in the case set to stand trial in 2024 — believes the production “needs to stop trying to hide the ball and be transparent and provide information.”

“It begs the questions: What are they hiding and why?”

Gutierrez-Reed has argued that producers, who denied requests for training due to financial reasons, prevented her from performing her job to the best of her ability.

In October 2021, Baldwin was holding the Colt .45 revolver that, unbeknownst to him, contained bullets when it discharged, striking Hutchins, 42, and the film director Joel Souza.

After the shooting, the Santa Fe County district attorney charged Baldwin, who also served as the film’s producer, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

In April, the charges were dismissed without prejudice, although prosecutors noted Baldwin could still face charges pending an investigation into the weapon.

After Baldwin’s attorneys announced the decision, special prosecutors said the “decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and the charges may be refiled.”

Baldwin, 65, who has repeatedly denied pulling the trigger on the bullet that killed Hutchins

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled Tuesday that producers must provide internal documents showing that Baldwin and his production company play the full role of El Dorado Pictures in the film.

“The gun and the broken sear have been sent to the independent state expert for further investigation. The charge against Alec Baldwin was dismissed without prejudice because possible weapon malfunction “significantly affects causation as to Baldwin, and not as to Gutierrez,” prosecutors wrote in June.

“If it is determined that the weapon did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will continue.”

The prosecutor’s new report in the case against Gutierrez-Reed stated that the weapon “functioned properly and in accordance with the operational design of the original Colt 1873 single-action revolvers.”

Although the ‘full cock kick on the hammer was severely damaged, the top of the trigger shaft was broken off and the bolt (cylinder stop) was also broken’ due to the on-set incident, there was no indication of any modifications to the gun.

An August 2022 FBI forensic report concluded essentially the same thing: that Baldwin pulled the trigger.

Prosecutors have charged Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence

The cast and crew of Rust before the fatal shooting in 2021

Baldwin was initially charged, but the case was dropped after evidence showed the gun could have been fired without him pulling the trigger

In August this year, 26-year-old Gutierrez-Reed pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

Her lawyer Bowles said his client “looks forward to her day in court and the conduct of everyone on set being fully investigated.”

Gutierrez-Reed waived her right to an arraignment and preliminary hearing when she entered the plea on Wednesday. Her trial is scheduled for 2024.

Jury selection begins the day before opening statements.

Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys previously said they “fully expect at the end of this trial that Hannah will also be exonerated.”

The actor was seen hanging out outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office park grounds after being asked about the 2021 accidental shooting

He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger

Baldwin has maintained that the shooting was nothing more than an accident. He has said in interviews that he was told the gun was safe and that he never pulled the trigger.

“I didn’t pull the trigger. “I would never point a gun at someone and pull the trigger, never,” he said in December 2021.

Filming of the film has resumed in recent months. In April, Baldwin was spotted on set being hoisted to the gallows to hang.

The filmed scenes did not appear to simulate an actual hanging, and it is unclear whether the Rust script calls for the execution of Baldwin’s character as part of the story.

After a scathing safety review by regulators in New Mexico, which detailed ignored complaints and misfires before Hutchins’ death in October 2021, the production company agreed to pay a $100,000 fine.