Alec Baldwin On Shooting Incident Says Contract Protects Him From "Rust" Liability

Alec Baldwin (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Actor Alec Baldwin said in legal documents, Friday, March 11, that the contract for the film "Rust" protected him from financial responsibility in the shooting incident that killed the film's cinematographer.

Baldwin has been named a defendant in several civil lawsuits including one of Halyna's husband Hutchins, who was killed in October 2021 when the gun the actor used during a rehearsal killed Halyna.

In addition to playing the main role, Baldwin also serves as a producer in the film, as quoted by Reuters on Saturday. In an arbitration request against his fellow producers, Baldwin sought enforcement of a broad indemnity clause in his contract that lawyers said protected him from financial claims related to production.

Baldwin said he was saddened and concerned about the incident, but believed he was not responsible because the weapon he was given was called "cold", the industry term for it to be safe to use. He said he pulled the hammer of the gun, but didn't pull the trigger.

Filming for "Rust" took place in Nex Mexico. Authorities in Santa Fe are investigating the incident and say there is still the possibility of criminal prosecution. It is still questionable why there were real bullets on the set.

In the documents filed, lawyers say Baldwin provided creative input as a producer but did not hire crew members, the people responsible for ensuring gun safety procedures are implemented.

"This is a rare example of a system breaking down, and someone should be held legally guilty of tragic consequences. That person is not Alec Baldwin.

Matthew Hutchins, the husband of the deceased cinematographer, argued in his lawsuit that Baldwin was responsible because he fired the gun and should have checked that the gun did not contain live ammunition.