The shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021 has led to criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter against actor Alec Baldwin.
This incident evokes memories of another on-set tragedy that occurred almost three decades ago, when actor Brandon Lee was accidentally shot and killed during the filming of The Crow.
Brandon Lee, son of renowned martial artist Bruce Lee, lost his life on March 30, 1993, in Wilmington, North Carolina.
During a scene, his co-star Michael Massee fired a prop gun loaded with blanks.
Unknowingly, a bullet fragment was discharged when the blank cartridge ignited, fatally injuring Lee, who later died during surgery.
Massee faced no criminal charges, but Lee's mother did successfully sue the filmmakers for an undisclosed amount.
Fast forward to present day, and Alec Baldwin finds himself in a similar situation.
He fired a live round from a Colt .45-caliber pistol at Halyna Hutchins during the filming of Rust.
Baldwin maintains that he did not intend to shoot Hutchins and has sued those involved in the handling and provision of the prop gun.
He also reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Hutchins' husband.
Recently, prosecutors in Santa Fe, N.M., announced that Baldwin, along with another member of the Rust crew, would face criminal charges related to Hutchins' death.
According to Nancy Gertner, a trial lawyer and retired judge from Harvard Law School, such criminal charges are typically left to the discretion of the acting prosecutor.
She described the decision to charge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter as “unusual” and “difficult to prove.”
Gertner highlights the responsibilities of other crew members, particularly the film's armorer, who is also facing involuntary manslaughter charges.
Their handling and management of the gun before it reached Baldwin's possession are crucial factors in determining culpability.
To establish Baldwin's culpability, prosecutors theorize that he held a greater responsibility in Hutchins' death than initially believed.
Gertner raises the question of whether social media and intense public scrutiny influenced the prosecutors' decision-making process.
Robert Weisberg, a criminal law professor at Stanford University, agrees that an involuntary manslaughter charge is at the discretion of the prosecutor.
He deems the Baldwin case as “factually messy” compared to the Brandon Lee incident.
Further investigation or trial testimony may provide clearer distinctions between the two cases.
Weisberg points out labor issues within the production company behind Rust.
Reports indicate that several crew members walked off the set before the shooting, and others claim that gun safety protocols were not followed during filming.
Considering these circumstances, a jury could infer that Baldwin should have exercised greater caution due to the set's overall management.
Weisberg suggests that even if there were no specific incidents involving the gun in question, the general state of affairs on set should have prompted extra vigilance.
The tragic death of Brandon Lee prompted the implementation of improved protocols for using prop guns on set.
Shannon Lee, Brandon's sister and a martial artist herself, emphasized the need for mandatory gun safety training for actors following her brother's untimely demise.
Gertner adds that previous accounts of equipment mishandling on set could contribute to Baldwin's level of culpability.
Ultimately, the outcome of Baldwin's case will depend on further investigation and legal proceedings.
The parallels and distinctions drawn between the Brandon Lee and Halyna Hutchins tragedies will play a significant role in establishing accountability.
