Legal expert Mercedes Colwin, speaking on ‘The Story with Martha MacCallum,’ has suggested that the prosecution should carefully examine the gun that allegedly discharged and resulted in the death of a crew member on the set of “Rust.” A new report from independent forensic firearm experts Lucien Haag and Mike Haag, commissioned by the prosecution, asserts that Alec Baldwin had to pull the trigger of the gun for it to fire, despite Baldwin’s repeated denials. The report details that the hammer of the evidence revolver had to be manually retracted and then the trigger pulled for the gun to discharge.
The shooting incident, which took place on the set of “Rust” in October 2021, led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The subsequent legal battle has been ongoing, with the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed scheduled for a trial in December. Earlier, the involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed, contingent on further testing of the gun.
While the new report echoes a similar conclusion to the FBI forensics analysis conducted in August 2022, opinions on its impact vary. Attorney Mercedes Colwin’s suggestion highlights the need for thorough investigation, while legal expert Miguel Custodio remains cautious, noting that modifying evidence can raise questions about its credibility. The ongoing legal proceedings continue to explore the circumstances of the tragic incident.