A former ‘Rust’ prosecutor who resigned ahead of the dismissal of Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter case has spoken out about her decision and the actor’s ‘reckless’ behavior on set.
Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, who resigned just before the charges were dropped, claims to have seen evidence that Baldwin was playing with the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
According to Johnson, this alleged antics included Baldwin using another person as a target for blank bullets.
He stressed the seriousness of such actions and said: NewsNation“You don’t do that with real weapons.”
Johnson insists her resignation was not dramatic, but rather because she felt morally obliged to do so, given the new evidence she uncovered.
A former ‘Rust’ prosecutor who resigned ahead of the dismissal of Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter case has spoken out about her decision and the actor’s ‘reckless’ behavior on set.
Erlinda Ocampo Johnson (pictured), who resigned just before the charges were dropped, claims to have seen evidence that Baldwin was playing with the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
‘I left because I became aware of this evidence when the public became aware of it late yesterday afternoon.’
This evidence, withheld from the defense according to the judge, allegedly included ammunition handed to the police by a crew member.
‘I got on the case at the end of April, so I had to catch up. I wasn’t involved in the Hannah Gutierrez case at all, so I didn’t know that this individual had brought this ammunition to the sheriff’s department and provided it to the deputies. I found out all of that yesterday.’
She emphasizes her ethical and moral obligations as a prosecutor, which include ensuring that all evidence is presented.
Upon discovering the withheld evidence, Johnson felt compelled to withdraw before the court hearing.
“When the motion hearing started, my position was… we have an obligation as prosecutors, we have an obligation not only to the people, but to the defendant and our obligation is to make sure that all the evidence is turned over,” he said.
“It’s not our job to decide who is going to defend themselves. Our job is to ensure transparency and that the accused has everything that the prosecution has gathered. What they do with it is up to them.”
Asked if he had any regrets, Johnson said: “Did I believe there was any inappropriate behavior with respect to the handling of this gun? Yes, I do.”
Baldwin himself is said to have been emotional when the judge permanently dismissed the charges.
In a statement he shared on Instagram, the actor broke his silence following the dropped charges.
“There are too many people who have supported me to thank them now,” she wrote on Saturday.
‘To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness towards my family.’
This brings to an end a nearly three-year legal saga following the fatal shooting on the set of the film ‘Rust’ in October 2021.
The film’s gunsmith, Hannah Guttierez-Reed, was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Charges against Baldwin were initially filed in 2023, but were later dropped and refiled in January 2024.