'Rust' trial: Alec Baldwin accuses prosecutors of 'abuse of power'
What's the story
Alec Baldwin's legal team has accused prosecutors of a "stunning abuse of prosecutorial power" in the ongoing Rust trial.
On Tuesday, the attorneys argued that a plea deal was withdrawn due to confusion surrounding Baldwin's involvement in a documentary about the case.
The actor is set to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in July, following the tragic death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
If convicted, he could serve a maximum of 18 months behind bars.
Plea deal
Baldwin was offered a plea deal last October
Per reports, Baldwin was initially offered a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge last October, which would have allowed him to avoid jail time.
However, prosecutor Kari Morrissey retracted the offer after learning that Baldwin had allegedly initiated his own documentary about Hutchins's death and was supposedly pressuring witnesses to participate.
Morrissey expressed concerns that such actions could inflict further harm on the victims and their families.
Defense response
Defense claimed Morrissey's reasoning for indictment was 'unfounded'
Baldwin's attorneys—led by Luke Nikas—responded on Tuesday, arguing that Morrissey's reasoning for an indictment is unfounded as it doesn't pertain to the facts of the alleged crime.
They also claimed that Morrissey was misinformed about Baldwin's role in the documentary.
"Morrissey's stated reasons for pursuing an indictment are completely divorced from the public interest and reflect a stunning abuse of prosecutorial power," they wrote.
The defense is now pushing for the indictment to be dismissed.
Documentary involvement
Baldwin's defense says he has no control over documentaries
In a detailed 23-page response, Baldwin's defense clarified that the actor did not commission either of the two documentaries currently being produced about Hutchins's death.
"He has no title or credit in either documentary," they wrote.
"He's not a producer and has no control, of any kind, over either documentary. In both documentaries, Baldwin is only a subject."
The two documentaries in question are currently in production—one directed by Rachel Mason and another by Rory Kennedy.
Trial proceedings
Morrissey insisted Baldwin should stand trial
Moreover, Baldwin's defense suggested that Morrissey may have obtained her information from an erroneous article in the Daily Mail.
In response to the defense's allegations, Morrissey insisted that Baldwin should stand trial for his role in Hutchins's demise.
She contended that the defense had misled the prosecution.
Morrissey also alleged that Baldwin intended to accept the plea, and then launch a media campaign to proclaim his innocence, which would include filing a baseless lawsuit against the prosecutors.