Alec Baldwin is suspected of being involved in leaking “The Last” footage to the press in an attempt to gain a favorable outcome at a grand jury hearing in November, according to newly released court documents.
The video in question was obtained by NBC News the night before the grand jury was scheduled to convene. Baldwin can be heard instructing the crew to stay out of the gun’s path in the video, which was reportedly filmed before Halina Hutchins was shot and killed on October 21, 2021.
New Mexico special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said Baldwin, who also produced “Lust,” “released selected videos to NBC News (perhaps through a third party) out of sympathy for the case.” It is possible that the purpose was to collect the goal. “
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Alec Baldwin is accused of leaking footage of “The Lust” to the press in unsealed new court documents. (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department)
“The video was released to the national media on the eve of the grand jury trial for the purpose of smearing the grand jury and the grand jury process,” the document states. “The State’s Attorney is concerned that recordings of public hearings related to grand jury proceedings may be used by subjects and/or their attorneys to continue to taint grand jury proceedings.”
in video footageBaldwin was heard saying, “Now, wait a second. Are you going to shoot to the right? Can I go to the other side of the camera? I don’t want to shoot at you.”
At another point, Baldwin seemed concerned about the safety of the person behind the camera, saying, “I don’t know why you’re climbing hills and all that stuff. I’m gonna break your neck.” Told. . ”
Alec Baldwin fires prop gun and tells ‘Lust’ crew: ‘I don’t want to shoot at you’ in newly released video
Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Lewis are also “the same reporters” who reported the video footage story on NBC News, who previously worked for CNN, and who conducted “on-air interviews” with the targets and their lawyers in August 2022. He also questioned the person who gave him the opportunity to speak publicly. In his defense, he did not pull the trigger when the gun went off on October 21, 2021, killing Halina Hutchins and wounding Joel Souza. ”
Alec Baldwin was shown sitting in the church where Hutchins was killed in an outtake from the “Lust” production used during the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reid. (Court TV)
They added that the media plug provided “an opportunity for his lawyer to publicly argue that the criminal prosecution of his client was unfair.”
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Baldwin’s attorneys countered with a motion for sanctions against Morrissey and Lewis on Nov. 21, arguing that the state “has pursued a detrimental media campaign against Baldwin since the beginning of this prosecution.”
His team contacted attorney Luke Nikas “within approximately an hour” after the conclusion of the grand jury hearing on November 15th, when NBC News contacted him to confirm that the grand jury date had been cleared. claimed that there was. The document states that by the time Nikas called NBC, “NBC had already reported that Morrissey had revealed what happened during the court hearing.”
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“Special Counsel Morrissey violated the court’s order just one hour after the court ordered the parties not to disclose information about hearings or grand jury proceedings.”
Alec Baldwin appears in a video rehearsing with a revolver before his fatal ‘last’ shooting. (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office)
Halina Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021 while filming “The Last.” (Fred Hayes)
In response to Baldwin’s team seeking sanctions against the state’s special counsel, Morrissey insisted he had never commented to NBC News about the grand jury, citing an “ongoing protective order.” refused.
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“The charges against Mr. Baldwin are not being pursued because of his criminal history, his alarming level of arrogance, or to teach him a lesson,” the document states. “The attorney’s intent was to complete the investigation and make sound and rational prosecution decisions in the event of loss of life. Because of the loss of life, it was necessary to complete a full and detailed investigation. .”
On Thursday, Mr. Baldwin’s attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that prosecutors violated “nearly every rule in the textbook” to convict Mr. Baldwin in the shooting death of Halina Hutchins.
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“Enough is enough. This is an abuse of the system and the abuse of innocent people whose rights have been severely trampled,” the document said.
Baldwin was indicted In January, he was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, negligent use of a firearm, or involuntary manslaughter without due care or prudence.
Baldwin maintains that he did not pull the trigger of the prop gun that killed Hutchins. At the time, he was rehearsing a cross-draw scene that Hutchins wanted to add to the script.
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If Baldwin is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison. Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to begin in July.
Representatives for Baldwin did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
