By Andrew Hay
(Reuters) – On Oct. 21, 2021 a Colt Single Action Army Revolver actor Alec Baldwin was using to set up a camera shot on the movie “Rust” fired a live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.
The following is a chronology of Baldwin’s comments in relation to the shooting on a New Mexico film set and events surrounding Hollywood’s first on-set fatal shooting in nearly 30 years.
2021
DECEMBER – In an ABC News interview with George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin denies responsibility for the shooting. He says the revolver “went off” on its own and he did not pull the trigger.
2022
JULY – An FBI test of Baldwin’s gun finds it “functioned normally.” The revolver would not fire from the full cock position without the trigger pulled.
2023
JANUARY – New Mexico state prosecutors charge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter and a firearm enhancement that carries a potential five-year prison sentence.
FEBRUARY – Prosecutors drop the firearm enhancement, marking a first win for Baldwin, after his lawyers argue the law was not in force when the shooting occurred. Baldwin still faces an involuntary manslaughter charge with up to 18 months prison.
MARCH – In another win for Baldwin, New Mexico state prosecutor Andrea Reeb resigns after his lawyers say it is illegal for her to hold two posts in state government. Reeb is also a Republican state representative.
Two weeks later, Santa Fe county District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says she is resigning as a prosecutor. She appoints veteran Albuquerque criminal defense attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis as new special prosecutors.
APRIL – Weeks before a preliminary hearing, Morrissey and Lewis drop charges against Baldwin. A person familiar with the case says Baldwin’s legal team presented evidence the revolver was modified, allowing it to fire without the trigger pulled. The evidence undermines the prosecution’s case, the source says.
Morrissey says she will refile charges if an independent test of the gun confirms it was in normal working condition.
AUGUST – Independent firearms expert Lucien Haag finds the gun will not fire at the full cock position without the trigger pulled. Haag says damage to the trigger sear and rounding off of the full-cock notch on the gun appears to have been caused by FBI testing rather than modification.
2024
JANUARY – Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter a second time as a Santa Fe grand jury indicts him.
FEBRUARY – A July 10 date is set for Baldwin’s trial.
MARCH – “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a Santa Fe, New Mexico jury for mistakenly loading a live round into Baldwin’s gun.
APRIL – New Mexico district court judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sentences Gutierrez to the maximum 18 months in state prison, telling her she has shown no contrition.
MAY – Sommer denies motions by Baldwin’s legal team to dismiss charges after they argue prosecutors rigged a January grand jury against the actor. The case is seven weeks from trial with little expectation the two sides will reach a plea deal.
(Reporting By Andrew Hay; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
