Gun Expert Testimony Raises Doubt In Baldwin Shooting Case

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, left, listens to a crime scene technician being questioned during her trial at the First Judicial District Courthouse in Santa Fe, N.M. on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (Gabriela Campo

A recent courtroom testimony by an independent gun expert has shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on the set of the movie 'Rust' in 2021. Actor Alec Baldwin, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, claims that the gun discharged without him pulling the trigger.

The armorer for the movie, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also facing charges related to the incident. The firearms expert testified about the safety features of the Colt revolver used by Baldwin, demonstrating that the gun would not fire unless the trigger was depressed. The expert confirmed that the gun was fully functional with safety features intact when it arrived at an FBI laboratory.

During the trial, it was revealed that the gun had to be tampered with in order to fire without the trigger being pulled. The expert found no evidence of the gun being modified before testing. The jury watched a demonstration where the safety features of the gun prevented it from firing even when the hammer was pulled back multiple times.

The lead detective on the case explained that testing was conducted to disprove Baldwin's claim that the gun went off on its own. Defense attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed argue that issues on the 'Rust' set were beyond their client's control and have raised concerns about evidence collection and investigations.

No evidence of gun modification found before testing.

Gun expert testifies Colt revolver wouldn't fire without trigger depressed.

Lead detective tests gun to disprove Baldwin's claim of accidental discharge.

Gutierrez-Reed's inconsistent statements and handling of ammunition under scrutiny.

Concerns raised about evidence collection and investigations on 'Rust' set.

Defense argues issues on set were beyond Gutierrez-Reed's control.

Inconsistencies in Gutierrez-Reed's statements were highlighted during the trial, including her claim of inspecting all rounds in Baldwin's gun before the shooting. The investigation also looked into a possible source of live ammunition, which was prohibited on the movie set.

Gutierrez-Reed mentioned retrieving ammunition from a previous film and denied any sabotage by cast or crew members. The prosecution maintains that Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for bringing live ammunition to the set and disregarding safety protocols.

The trial continues to unravel details surrounding the tragic incident on the 'Rust' set, with both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed facing legal scrutiny as the case progresses.