Video of Alec Baldwin rehearsing with gun on 'Rust' set released by New Mexico sheriff


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A New Mexico county sheriff on Monday released a video of actor Alec Baldwin rehearsing with an old-west style revolver on the set of the filmRust before the gun went off in his hand, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza also made public crime scene photos and videotaped interviews with cast members of Rust, including Baldwin, but said a formal decision on criminal charges would depend on further forensic examination.

"Various components of the investigation remain outstanding, including FBI firearm and ballistic forensics along with DNA and latent fingerprint analysis, [coroner's] findings and the analysis of Mr Alec Baldwin's phone data extracted by Suffolk County Sheriff's investigators," Mendoza said.

Alec Baldwin being questioned by officers on the set of 'Rust' at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AFP
Alec Baldwin being questioned by officers on the set of 'Rust' at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico following the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AFP

The state of New Mexico last week fined Rust Movie Productions the maximum amount possible, $137,000, for what it called "wilful" safety lapses leading to the death of Hutchins.

The 42-year-old was killed during filming in October when the revolver Baldwin was holding fired a live round that struck her in the chest and lodged in the shoulder of director Joel Souza, who survived the gunshot wound.

Baldwin has denied responsibility for Hutchins' death and said live rounds should never have been allowed on to the set of the film at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.

The footage released on Monday, with no accompanying sound, shows Baldwin in costume as an old west gunslinger practicing with what appears to be the gun that went off in his hand, killing Hutchins.

Separate video shows the actor being questioned by officers at the scene of the shooting as well as in a police station.

Baldwin, a producer on the film, has been named in several lawsuits filed in connection with Hutchins's death, including one by her husband, Matthew.

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

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Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

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It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Updated: April 26, 2022, 5:32 AM`