“Blame It On The Hangover? π»πΏ Prosecutors Take Aim at βRustβ Weapons Expert”
TL;DR: The lingering saga of the Alec Baldwin shooting incident takes a twist, as prosecutors point the finger at weapons expert Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Theories of party-filled nights π₯³ and foggy mornings π (read: hangovers) are being thrown into the mix as possible contributors to negligence on set. But some legal experts think the prosecutors may be shooting blanks with this strategy. Will this be the winning argument or a defense lawyer’s dream?
π The Mystery Continues: Nearly two years after Alec Baldwin shot and killed a cinematographer on the New Mexico set of ‘Rust’, the question that haunts Hollywood remains: who let the live rounds on the set? π¬π₯ The prosecutors are looking at Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the set’s weapons expert, but have yet to reveal concrete evidence.
π» The “Hangover” Hypothesis: In a twist fit for a Hollywood script, prosecutors are theorizing that Gutierrez-Reed’s evenings of drinking and marijuana use left her judgment too clouded to ensure the set’s safety. Is this a valid explanation or just a shot in the dark?π€
βοΈ A Losing Battle? Some legal buffs think the hangover argument is just character assassination and may not hold up in court. Will the strategy backfire on the prosecution or will they find that one piece of evidence that ties it all together?
π― Potential Weak Spots: The prosecutors have cited witnesses ready to testify about Gutierrez-Reed’s partying habits. But without concrete tests to prove her potential “hangover” state, can they actually pin her as the negligent one? π΅βπ«
π¬ Waiting on the Lab: An analysis of the infamous gun might make or break the case. Depending on the results, Baldwin could find himself back in the prosecutor’s crosshairs. How will this forensic twist affect the trajectory of the case?
ποΈ In Case You Forgot: Baldwin was rehearsing a scene on set in October 2021 when the gun he was holding fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin’s initial involuntary manslaughter charge was dismissed in April, but prosecutors might reload depending on upcoming evidence.
π©ββοΈ Looking Ahead: Gutierrez-Reed is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in August. A judge will decide then if there’s probable cause for the charge to move forward. But will a hangover argument really convince the judge? π€·ββοΈ
ποΈ To Close: Some experts argue that proving an “impairment in judgment caused the injury and that the impairment is linked to drug and alcohol use” is tricky, especially without concrete proof of substance in her system. Others think that the late insinuation of a hangover might show the prosecution’s pattern of sloppiness, giving the defense a major advantage. So, where does that leave us? π
π€ To end with a thought-provoking question: Is the prosecution’s hangover hypothesis just a Hail Mary pass, or do they have a secret card up their sleeve that will shock us all? π And what does this say about the state of accountability in Hollywood today?