The Director of the Ill-Fated “Rust” — shot in the shoulder on the movie set — might testify against embattled actor Alec Baldwin at his involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico.
Joel Souza, director, was hurt when Baldwin shot his prop gun at rehearsal and killed Halyna Hutchins (42), in October 2021. Souza is one of the 44 people on the prosecution’s witness list for the actor’s preliminary hearing later this month.
Hutchins was 42 years old when Baldwin pointed a gun at her and did not realize it had a loaded bullet. Souza (49), was struck in the shoulder, and she was released from hospital on the next day.
Baldwin, 64, has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the on-set incident, but has repeatedly denied any culpability — and said he’ll fight the charges. The film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is facing the same charges.
Court documents obtained by Deadline show that Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has lined up a slew of witnesses — many of whom worked on the film — to possibly testify against Baldwin.
Carmack-Altwies cited many workers who were involved in the production of “Rust”She spoke out about the dangers of shooting in that area, both during and after.
“Rust” camera assistant Lane Luper, who quit the film over safety issues right before the fatal shooting, may be one of those called to testify. Luper stated previously that the safety protocols for filmmaking were followed. “fast and loose” — and that Hutchins’ death was the tragic end of a ”perfect storm.”
“What I put in my resignation letter was lax COVID policies, the housing situation driving to and from Albuquerque, and specifically, gun safety, a lack of rehearsals, a lack of preparing the crew for what we were doing that day,” Luper claimed.
Serge Svetnoy, the film’s gaffer who blamed “negligence and unprofessionalism” for Hutchins’ death, is also listed by the DA’s office and could testify.
Svetnoy claimed in a Facebook post that Baldwin and producers wanted to kill him. “to save a dime”The ability to be hired “people who are not fully qualified for the complicated and dangerous job.”
Svetnoy also sued Baldwin personally for negligence, claiming he suffered emotional distress after nearly being hit by the bullet that killed Hutchins.
The DA added that investigators and officers of law enforcement were possible witnesses at the hearing on February 24, 2003.
Noticeably absent from the list is the film’s first assistant director David Halls, who handed Baldwin the gun. To avoid trial, he agreed to a plea bargain; the details of his case remain secret.
Both Baldwin and Gutierrez–Reed were charged “in the alternative,” meaning the jury will decide on which of the two charges — involuntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act — the defendants may be found guilty or innocent.
A maximum sentence of 18 month is possible for the first count. If convicted, Baldwin and GutierrezReed will be subject to a five-year mandatory sentence.
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