Legal experts have weighed on Alec Baldwin’s interview on ABC News, telling Fox News it may backfire on the Hollywood star in both civil and possibly criminal court.
Rachel Fiset, the managing partner of Los Angeles-based Zweiback, Fiset & Coleman, said: “Alec Baldwin is clearly devastated by the tragic accidental killing of Ms. Hutchins. He likely feels compelled to speak publicly as a result, and he is sympathetic at times as it relates to the trauma he is experiencing.
“He is trying to direct the narrative in a way that shifts blame for this tragedy away from him. However, it is never a good idea to speak publicly during an active investigation and this case is no different.
“Any statements made on television during an investigation could result in unintended admissions that could be used against him later at trial or could prejudice the prosecutor against him.
“If statements relating to facts turn out to be disproved, it will hurt his credibility with law enforcement or at trial.
“His admissions that someone is to be blamed – but not him – could also potentially be used against him later in either a civil or criminal case if it is determined that he had some responsibility for set safety as a major producer of the film.”
Molly Mauck of New York City-based law firm Romano Law said:
“It is understandable why Alec Baldwin desires to explain to the press his perception of the events and attempt to control the narrative surrounding the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins.
“There is, however, risk to speaking before all the facts are known, or the investigations are complete.
“Any statements Mr. Baldwin makes may later be used against him in any potential civil or criminal case stemming from this incident.
“Similarly, any variations in his accounts of the incident could be later characterized as material inconsistencies and used to attack his credibility at trial,” she said.
Baldwin said on ABC that he doesn’t feel guilty about the shooting: “I didn’t pull the trigger. I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never.
“I have no idea. Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property.”
Sincere question… when you see a well trained actor in an interview like this how are you supposed to differentiate between their real emotions and their acting? pic.twitter.com/h04HA3zez2
— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) December 2, 2021
Alec Baldwin DOESN’T feel guilty about set shooting tragedy https://t.co/DSdTGUl74H via @MailOnline
— Jack Posobiec ???????? (@JackPosobiec) December 3, 2021
