Author: Anthony D'Alessandro, Dominic Patten
Exclusive: Just a few hours before law enforcement officials are scheduled to hold a press conference in Santa Fe tomorrow, Alec Baldwin filmed the fatal shooting of photographer Harina Hutchins on the set, this low-budget Western movie The producer of now brought high-profile law firm to interview staff and give a speech on the event on Thursday, October 21st.
"In addition to cooperating with the authorities, we also hired Jenner & Block's legal team to investigate the incident," Rust Production Company said in a letter to the actors and staff tonight.
"We have emphasized that they will completely decide who to interview and any conclusions they reach," the note added.
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"They may also contact you next week. Because we want to reduce the number of inconveniences to you, if permitted, Jenner & Block will participate in the OSHA interview with you," read the instructions. OSHA has already started interviewing the crew and asked the Rust production staff to coordinate the meeting next week.
According to sources close to the incident, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department completed a preliminary investigation of the scene two days ago, and OSHA has completed the field investigation. Today, Juan Rios, a spokesperson for the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office, told the deadline, “There may be more search warrants, but no documents have been submitted yet.”
"This will continue for a while," Rios added.
Photography is Hollywood’s deadliest job: The death of "The Rust" photographer Halyna Hutchins puts the safety of the film crew at the center of attention
"It feels too early to discuss interviews with the crew, but it is important that we get as close as possible to this tragedy," read the letter tonight. "We know it will be difficult to relive this tragedy, but your participation is important for all of us to fully understand what happened, and we encourage you to share your views."
According to an affidavit on October 22, Rust assistant director David Hols told Baldwin that the gun he pointed at the camera during the rehearsal scene was a "cold gun." The police investigation also determined that all three "prop guns" were prepared by the on-site armorer Hannah Gutierrez. The first advertisement "I don't know that there is live ammunition in the prop gun." When the gun went off, director Joel Souza also injured his shoulder.
Earlier today, Santa Fe’s top prosecutor told the New York Times, “Everything at this time, including criminal charges, is on the table.” Reports that continued to call said that the budget was 7 million US dollars in the 1880s. The crew has been using the guns used in the film for target practice after several hours of "unconfirmed". Mary Carmack-Altwies, the Attorney for the First Judicial District, also pointed out that the weapon is "an antique gun suitable for the times" and not a "prop gun" as described by the Sheriff's Office and others in the past week.
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