Alec Baldwin keeping cell phone
Alec Baldwin Insists He’s Complying with ‘Rust’ Investigation Despite Keeping Cell Phone
'It’s not consistent with his pledge early on to cooperate with law enforcement...'
(Headline USA) Alec Baldwin has yet to turn over his cellphone to the authorities investigating the shooting on the set of the movie “Rust,” despite a warrant being issued. This has spurred suspicions that Baldwin is not cooperating with investigators, contrary to previous statements he’s made.
Baldwin has said that any suggestion he’s not complying with the investigation into last fall’s deadly shooting on a New Mexico film set is a lie.
At issue is a search warrant for Baldwin’s cellphone, which authorities hope can provide information helpful in the probe. Baldwin was holding a revolver during a rehearsal for his movie “Rust” on Oct. 21 when it fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding the film’s director.
Baldwin said in a long, rambling Instagram videothat New Mexico has to go through New York law enforcement and the process of specifying exactly what is needed takes time.
“They can’t just go through your phone and take your photos, or your love letters to your wife, or what have you,” he said.
There is concern that Baldwin may be disposing of crucial evidence on his phone.
“If he deleted text messages or call records then he would face the possibility of criminal contempt,” said Kevin Kearon, a former Nassau District Attorney’s Office who’s now a criminal defense lawyer. “Or if there are personal messages, for example, between he and his wife, it’s not shocking that he wouldn’t want them in the public domain …”
“It’s not consistent with his pledge early on to cooperate with law enforcement,” he said. “It certainly looks suspicious to the average person.”
Baldwin has said he didn’t know the gun he was holding contained a live round when it went off. Investigators are trying to find where the live round came from and, in the search warrant for Baldwin’s phone, said they are looking for text messages, images, videos, calls or any other information related to the movie.
“Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders or demands or search warrants about my phone, that’s bull——, that’s a lie,” he said.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
