Alec Baldwin’s Legal Team Wants Access To Halyna Hutchins’ Medical Records

The legal team representing actor Alec Baldwin in his criminal case against the state of New Mexico is trying to release the medical records of late "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

On October 21, 2021, a gun held by the “30 Rock” actor went off, striking and killing Hutchins. “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was also charged with involuntary manslaughter, was found guilty by a jury after less than three hours of deliberation.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Alec Baldwin’s legal team – including Luke Nikas, Alex Spiro, Michael Nosanchuk, Sara Clark, and Heather M. LeBlanc – filed to release the medical records relating to Halyna Hutchins on Wednesday.

The document notified the state attorneys, Jason J. Lewis and Kari T. Morrissey, that the medical records as currently in possession of the Santa Fe County Fire Department and TriState CareFlight and went on to say that the records may be disclosed pursuant to a court order.

The filing also states that “the medical records of Halyna Hutchins are “of a sensitive, confidential, and legally-protected nature.” However, they say that they have already “notified counsel for Ms. Hutchins’ estate of their intent to seek these records and they do not object.”

It is unclear if the attorneys spoke to Hayna Hutchins’ widow, Matthew Hutchins, who settled his wrongful death lawsuit about a year after she passed away. As part of the settlement he made with Alec Baldwin and other “Rust” producers, he became an executive producer on the Western film, which wrapped filming last spring. A release date has yet to be announced.

However, in late 2023, Halyna Hutchins’ parents and sister filed their lawsuit against “Rust” producers alleging that their negligence on set is what caused the death of the late cinematographer. After armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, her family released a brief statement through their attorney, Gloria Allred, who is also representing "Rust" script supervisor Mamie Mitchell in her own lawsuit.

In a brief statement made earlier this month following Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's guilty verdict, attorneys Gloria Allred and John Carpenter said, "Halyna’s parents and her sister have always wanted everyone who is responsible for Halyna’s death to be held accountable," adding, "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."

They went on to say, "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." Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had also been charged with one count of tampering with evidence; however, she was acquitted of that charge.

In January 2023, both Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Guiterrez-Reed were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. However, charges against the “Supercell” actor were dropped without prejudice a few months later pending further investigation. In January 2024, charges were refiled against Baldwin in connection with Halyna Hutchins’ death.

SAG-AFTRA released the following statement regarding new charges in the Rust tragedy. On January 25, the organization released a statement on their website defending the actor and saying that it was the job of the armorer, not the performer, to make sure that a firearm did not contain live ammunition. "To the extent that the charges filed on January 19 are based on an accusation of negligent use of a firearm predicated on this or any actor having a duty to inspect a firearm as part of its use, that is an incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor on set," the statement began.

"An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm," they continue.

The Industry Standards for safety with firearms and use of blank ammunition are clearly laid out in Safety Bulletin 1, provided by the Joint Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Commission," the statement reads. "The guidelines require an experienced, qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set. These duties include 'inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence," and "checking all firearms before each use.'"

"The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect," they conclude, adding, "Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer."