Alec Baldwin got some terrible news from New Mexico special prosecutor Kari Morrissey who said Alec could still face charges in the Rust shooting after a new gun analysis determined the trigger was pulled despite Alec saying he never pulled the trigger.
Experts in ballistics and forensic testing released a report after examining the Colt .45 revolver used on set and markings it left on a spent cartridge. They found that the trigger had to have been either pulled or depressed.
The report led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona said: “Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.
“This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger.
“The fired evidence cartridge is the consequence of a normal hammer fall from the fully cocked position of the hammer.”
Prosecutors told the New York Post that a formal announcement on whether to refile any charges against Baldwin is pending.
Prosecutors said in a June court filing:
“The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly affects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez.
“If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed.
“The prosecution anticipates making a final charging decision with regard to Mr. Baldwin within the next sixty days,”
According to The New York Post:
Special prosecutors dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April without prejudice, citing information that the revolver might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned.
They commissioned the new analysis of the gun, along with other weapons and ammunition from the set of “Rust,” and wrote in a June court filing that Baldwin could still face charges.
Charges against Alec Baldwin could be refiled as forensic report shows trigger on gun used in ‘Rust’ shooting had to be pulled https://t.co/OGg6qZzvmv pic.twitter.com/cvUqQEiHms
— CNN (@CNN) August 16, 2023
