In a recent development related to the tragic shooting incident on the set of the movie ‘Rust,’ a judge has ruled that Rust’s production entity must provide records to determine whether Alec Baldwin deviated from industry-standard safety measures in an attempt to cut costs. Prosecutors are seeking documents from Rust Movie Productions and Alec Baldwin, as well as his production company, El Dorado Pictures, to investigate whether Baldwin’s financial gains were connected to compromising safety regarding the use of firearms.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering in the fatal shooting of the movie’s cinematographer, argues that the film’s producers hindered her ability to perform her job effectively by denying her requests for additional firearm training due to financial constraints. The records being sought are crucial for her defense.

Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer, emphasized the need for transparency from Rust Movie Productions, questioning what they may be hiding and why they are resisting the subpoena for documents. Rust Movie Productions, however, has claimed that prosecutors are on a “phishing expedition” and seeking confidential materials.

The judge denied Rust Movie Productions’ motion to quash the subpoena, stating that Baldwin’s role as a producer and his financial interests in the film are relevant to Gutierrez-Reed’s case and could have influenced decisions related to safety on set. It is suggested that Baldwin’s contracts may have tied his compensation to the film’s production activities, including firearm training, raising concerns about whether Gutierrez-Reed’s requests were denied due to financial considerations rather than safety concerns.

Furthermore, the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau fined Rust Movie Productions $100,000 for “willful-serious” safety violations. It was found that Gutierrez-Reed had too many responsibilities, as per industry safety practices, which require an armorer to be present whenever firearms are handled and have the authority to determine if additional safety training is required.

A judge also advanced a claim of assault against Alec Baldwin in a lawsuit filed by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell. The ruling cited industry safety guidelines that mandate all firearms to be treated as loaded, regardless of any statements made by assistant directors. The judge emphasized that Baldwin could not rely on an alleged statement that the gun was “cold” and must take responsibility for checking the firearm himself.

The investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing, with multiple lawsuits filed against Alec Baldwin by Rust crew members involved in the incident. The case raises important questions about set safety protocols, financial motivations, and the responsibilities of both producers and actors in ensuring a safe working environment on film sets.