ALEC Baldwin is under pressure ahead of his involuntary manslaughter trial in July after the conviction of movie Rust's armourer for the same charge.
Halyna Hutchins died on the film set in 2021 when a prop gun held by Baldwin fired live ammunition and her family have called for further justice following yesterday's conviction.
Rust's armourer, 26-year-old Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was convicted and hauled to jail yesterday on charges of involuntary manslaughter over the cinematographer's death.
The 42-year-old mum's family said on Wednesday that they "look forward" to others responsible for her death facing their day in court - a possible reference to Baldwin.
The dad-of-seven, 65, was charged alongside Reed in January 2023 but they were dropped three months later.
The actor, however, was dramatically charged again just weeks ago with the same crime and will face trial in July.
Prosecutors in New Mexico said "additional facts" had emerged following forensic tests on the gun used in the shooting.
Baldwin, who was also a producer on Rust, is facing a prison sentence of 18 months to three years if found guilty.
The Mission Impossible star previously said he only pulled back the hammer of the gun and denied pulling the trigger that caused the gun to fire.
But his claims will be called into question at trial.
The film star has also argued he is not at fault because he had no knowledge that the weapon contained live rounds as no live ammunition was supposed to be on set.
He called Hutchin's death an "accident" and a "one-in-a-trillion episode" on set.
Hutchin's family lawyers said yesterday: "Halyna’s parents and her sister have always wanted everyone who is responsible for Halyna’s death to be held accountable".
"Today was the first trial and conviction in the criminal justice process. We are satisfied that the jury, based on the evidence, found Hannah Gutierrez-Reed guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for her part in the taking of Halyna’s life.
"We look forward to the justice system continuing to make sure that everyone else who is responsible for Halyna's death is required to face the legal consequences for their actions."
HALYNA Hutchins was killed on the set of Western blockbuster 'Rust' - here is a timeline of key events that followed the tragedy.
October 6, 2021 - Production on Rust begins in Sante Fe, New Mexico
October 21, 2021 - Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is shot and killed by a prop gun that actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with
Nov 17, 2021 - The script supervisor files a lawsuit accusing Baldwin of 'playing Russian roulette' by pointing revolver at Hutchins
Dec 2, 2021 - Baldwin speaks out and denies pulling the trigger and said he has 'no idea' why live rounds where on set
Jan 12, 2022 - Armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed files a lawsuit against the ammunition box manufacturer for 'failing to state the boxes contained both live and dummy rounds'
Feb 15, 2922 - Hutchins' family files wrongful death suit against Rust's producers
April 20, 2022 - Rust production fined over failures that led to 'avoidable death'
October 5, 2022 - Hutchins' family reach settlement with production company and Baldwin
Nov 11, 2022 - Baldwin files lawsuit alleging negligence of several crew members
Jan 31, 2023 - Involuntary manslaughter charges announced against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed
Feb 23, 2023 - Baldwin pleads not guilty
March 31, 2023 - David Hall, Rust's first assistant director, sentenced to six months probation after pleaded guilty for unsafe handling of a firearm
April 20, 2023 - Manslaughter charges against Baldwin dropped
June 22, 2023 - Gutierrez-Reed additionally charged with tampering with evidence
August 9, 2023 - The armourer pleads not guilty
Jan 19, 2024 - Baldwin indicted by grand jury again for manslaughter
Jan 31, 2024 - Baldwin again pleads not guilty
July 2024 - Baldwin will face trial
Prosecutors in court yesterday said there were “never-ending safety failures” on the set, following a two-week trial.
And reports surfaced from the set after Hutchin's death that suggested it was not a safe place for cast or crew.
One crew member posted online about the set up and said safety measures were "poor".
"We cited everything from lack of payment for three weeks, taking our hotels away despite asking for them in our deals, lack of Covid safety, and on top of that, poor gun safety!" they wrote on Facebook.
And a source close to the set spoke about the gun misfiring that killed Hutchins.
"A gun had two misfires in a closed cabin," they said.
"They just fired loud pops - a person was just holding it in their hands and it went off."
Rust assistant director, Dave Halls, reportedly handed Baldwin the revolver telling him it was a "cold gun," meaning it should have been safe to use.
Director-writer Joel Souza was also shot during the tragedy on the New Mexico set, but survived.
Reed's lawyer argued on Wednesday that the production company tried to cut costs by employing her part-time.
She will be officially sentenced at a later date.
