Last week, New Mexico prosecutors accused Alec Baldwin of being deceitful about the 2021 on-set shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins, the 'Rust' cinematographer.
Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis made a statement about Baldwin’s on-set behavior, describing it as reckless and arrogant and also accused the actor of being manipulative after Hutchins’ shooting death, in response to his motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter case against him, as per the Santa Fe New Mexican.
In a document released on Monday, Morrisey claimed that Baldwin, 66, shouted and used foul language towards himself and the 'Rust' staff — creating an environment that led to serious security issues on set.
READ: Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in 'Rust' shooting
“To see Mr. Baldwin’s behavior on the 'Rust' set is to see a man who has no control of his own emotions and no regard for how his behavior impacts others. Witnesses have stated that this behavior contributed to safety compromises on set,” she wrote, according to Variety.
Baldwin’s lawyers informed prosecutors that Baldwin was a creative director for 'Rust' and did not oversee on-set operations. They also alleged that Baldwin's gun was modified to make it easier to fire without pulling the trigger, Variety reported.
Although Baldwin publicly stated that he did not pull the trigger, Morrisey claimed that he did not make those statements to investigators. Prosecutors have accused the actor of blaming Hutchins for her own death.
Baldwin maintains that he was demonstrating how to pull a gun from the holster when the weapon went off in a mock church pew at Bonanza Creek Ranch — causing a single bullet to pass through Souza’s shoulder and hit Hutchins.
Baldwin told officers that he thought the gun was not loaded when he was practicing a cross draw. However, the FBI’s investigation found that it could not have fired without someone pulling the trigger.
Despite originally being charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, the charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023. According to prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, they needed more time to investigate new information and their review would not be completed before Baldwin’s preliminary hearing.
The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could be filed again in the future. Prosecutors re-filed the charge of involuntary manslaughter in January.
In March, “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. Reed claimed that weapons supplier Seth Kenney, not her, was responsible for mixing live and dummy rounds.
Recently, a judge rejected Gutierrez-Reed’s request for a new trial. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15.
Baldwin's trial is scheduled to start in July.
[Feature Photo: Alec Baldwin/AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File and Halyna Hutchins/Instagram]