In new court filings, actor Alec Baldwin says his contract for the film production "Rust" fully protects him against any liability in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Furthermore, the filings indicate that Baldwin believes part of the blame for the incident lies with the late cinematographer.
Hutchins’ surviving husband and son are suing Baldwin and others for wrongful death.
The suit, filed in New Mexico court not far from the filming location where Baldwin inadvertently shot the live round that killed Hutchins, alleged numerous industry standard violations by the actor-producer and others.
Baldwin is being sued by Hutchins’ family for liability due to his executive producer credit on the production. His lawyers said his contract indemnified him, however, and that he only had creative responsibilities with regards to "Rust."
Baldwin’s attorneys have filed an arbitration claim that alleged not only the actor was shielded from liability for the shooting, and that the production should cover his legal fees, but that Hutchins herself was responsible for the positioning of the gun just prior to her death.
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"She directed Baldwin to hold the gun higher, to a point where it was directed toward her,” the claim read. “She was looking carefully at the monitor and then at Baldwin, and then back again, as she gave these instructions."
"In giving and following these instructions, Hutchins and Baldwin shared a core, vital belief: that the gun was 'cold' and contained no live rounds,” lawyers added.
Baldwin also claimed that he asked Hutchins if she wanted him to pull back the hammer, to which Hutchins said yes, his attorneys claimed.
Baldwin has insisted it was not the actor’s responsibility to check a prop gun for live ammunition. That duty, his attorneys said, fell to the production’s armorist.
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