Fresh evidence has emerged in the investigation surrounding the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.” A recent gun analysis carried out by ballistics and forensic experts based in Arizona and New Mexico suggests that Alec Baldwin may face charges again despite his repeated claims of innocence.

The analysis, which focused on the Colt .45 revolver used during the incident, examined markings left on a spent cartridge. According to the report led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona, the findings indicated that the trigger of the revolver had either been pulled or depressed, contradicting Baldwin’s assertions.

The report stated, “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.” The experts further explained that the incident resulted from the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position, followed by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger.

To conduct the analysis, the experts utilized replacement parts to reassemble the gun, some of which had been broken during prior testing by the FBI. Kari Morrissey, the special prosecutor overseeing the “Rust” case in New Mexico, has revealed that a formal announcement regarding potential charges against Baldwin is pending, though no specific timeline has been provided.

Alec Baldwin, 65, has consistently maintained that the shooting was an accident. He claimed that he followed instructions to point the revolver toward Hutchins, who was positioned behind the camera during a rehearsal on the set of the low-budget Western. Baldwin contended that he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger, leading to the unintentional discharge of the Colt, which tragically struck Hutchins on October 21, 2021, at a movie ranch near Santa Fe.

Earlier this year, special prosecutors dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, citing the possibility that the revolver had been modified before the shooting and subsequently malfunctioned. However, in a June court filing, they indicated that Baldwin could still face charges, particularly in light of the new gun analysis and examination of other weapons and ammunition used on the “Rust” set.

Source: New York Post