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    Prosecutors Say Witness Fears Industry Retaliation For Testimony In Fatal “Rust” Shooting

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1496 Views
    This aerial photo shows the movie set of "Rust," at Bonanza Creek Ranch, Oct. 23, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

    Special prosecutors in the shooting death of a cinematographer on the set of the Alec Baldwin film "Rust" asked Friday to shield the name of a witness from public disclosure as they pursue charges against a movie weapons specialist.

    Prosecutors said in court filings that the witness is prepared to testify that film set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed handed off a small bag of narcotics to the witness after returning from an interview at a police station. But they said the witness worries about being harassed by media and blacklisted by the industry.

    Gutierrez-Reed is fighting charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering as the sole remaining defendant in the case after prosecutors dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April. Prosecutors can still refile charges against him, however.

    Baldwin was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killed her and injured director Joel Souza on Oct. 21, 2021.

    In a new court filing, prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said the testimony about a drug transfer will support allegations that Gutierrez-Reed attempted to prevent law enforcement from obtaining evidence related to the handling of the firearm prior to the shooting.

    The witness is afraid that if they testify, they could be shut out by the film industry "for coming forward with information about the defendant," the court filing said. "They wish to keep their identify from the public for as long as possible."

    The evidence tampering charge was filed last week against Gutierrez-Reed. Prosecutors have alleged that she was drinking and smoking marijuana in the evenings during the filming of "Rust" and was likely hungover on the day a live bullet was loaded into the gun Baldwin used.

    Gutierrez-Reed's attorney Jason Bowles criticized prosecutors' efforts to bring forward a "secret witness."

    "A secret witness appears 20 months later? With no actual corroboration or evidence? And the state won't identify the person?" he said. "This is a throwback to the secret, star chamber prosecutions in England in the 15th century that were abolished."

    Bowles has called tampering accusations against his client "retaliatory and vindictive" and an example of "character assassination."

     

    Category:News
    Tags:Alec BaldwinHalyna HutchinsHannah Gutierrez-ReedRust

    Britt Nolan Named CCO For McCann Worldgroup, North America

    Wednesday, November 13, 2024

    Britt Nolan has been hired as chief creative officer at McCann Worldgroup, North America. He will report to Javier Campopiano, global chief creative officer of McCann Worldgroup and McCann.

    Nolan will work directly with the network’s creative leadership in the U.S. and Canada to lead the development of ideas that solve clients’ business challenges, guided by the creativity of the network’s founding philosophy of “Truth Well Told.” Key to this effort will be fostering collaboration across capabilities and agencies, leveraging the network’s talent and expertise in strategy, design, commerce, branding and production to bring its best-in-class offerings to bear for each client.

    “Britt is without a doubt a leader and a point of reference for excellence in our industry,” said Campopiano. “He has led some of North America’s very best work in recent years with incredible range--creating eye-catching, smart, authentic, and funny ways of connecting brands with people. He has a rare track record of success across both creative and business, with a unique understanding of how they power each other. And most importantly, we share a common belief that brand-building is right now more important than it ever was, and the only way to do it is through radical creativity based on human truths. He embodies the very essence of our Truth Well Told philosophy.”

    Most recently president and chief creative officer of Leo Burnett Chicago, Nolan comes to McCann Worldgroup with a track record of creative achievement and business impact, both for his clients and the agencies at which he’s worked. Over the years, his work has won Grand Prix or Best in Show at every major international award show, including over 50 Cannes Lions, as well as recognition... Read More

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