New Delhi

New Mexico state prosecutors intend to argue that Alec Baldwin was unable to control his emotions on the set of the film Rust. In October 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun held by Baldwin went off and injured the film's director Joel Souza. The prosecutor alleges that he “shamelessly lied” and changed his story about the deadly shooting.

The actor, who is also the producer of the film, is due to go on trial in July on a charge of involuntary manslaughter for his part in Hutchins’ death in Santa Fe. Baldwin has denied wrongdoing. 

In a 32-page public filing released on Monday, prosecutor Kari Morrissey alleged that the actor would shout and swear on the set, and his uncontrolled behaviour had affected safety.

“To watch Mr Baldwin’s conduct on the set of Rust is to witness a man who has absolutely no control of his own emotions and absolutely no concern for how his conduct affects those around him,” Morrissey wrote. “Witnesses have testified that it was this exact conduct that contributed to safety compromises on set.”

The prosecutor has alleged that Baldwin deflected responsibility after Hutchins was killed and that he had pulled the hammer but not the trigger on the reproduction Colt .45.

The prosecutor also alleges that the actor had initially not stated he was first interviewed by police but mentioned the same when he spoke to ABC News a month after the incident. In the interview, the actor had alleged that Hutchins had instructed him to point the gun at her.

"Every time Mr Baldwin spoke, a different version of events emerged from his mouth, and his later statements contradicted his previous statements," the prosecutor said.

In March, film armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her part in Hutchins’ death. She now faces up to 18 months in prison.