'Rust' prosecutors accuse Alec Baldwin of leaking film footage to press in attempt to sway grand jury

Alec Baldwin was allegedly involved in leaking 'Rust' footage to the press in an effort to receive a favorable outcome in his November grand jury hearing, according to new unsealed court documents. The video in question was obtained by NBC News the night before the grand jury was set to convene. Baldwin could be heard telling crew members to move out of the path of the gun in the footage, which was reportedly captured before Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot Oct. 21, 2021.

Baldwin's legal team fired back Nov. 21 with a motion for sanctions against Morrissey and Lewis, claiming the state 'has pursued a prejudicial media campaign against Baldwin since the beginning of this prosecution.' His team claimed that, 'within about an hour' of the grand jury hearing ending on Nov. 15, his lawyer, Luke Nikas, was contacted by NBC News for confirmation that the grand jury date had been vacated.

Special Prosecutor Morrissey violated the Court's order barely one hour after the court ordered the parties not to disclose any information regarding the hearing or grand jury process.' In response to Baldwin's team requesting sanctions against the state's special prosecutors, Morrissey argued she never provided a comment to NBC News regarding the grand jury but declined to comment due to the 'ongoing protective order.

Enough is enough. This is an abuse of the system, and an abuse of an innocent person whose rights have been trampled to the extreme,' the documents stated. Baldwin was indicted on two counts in January — involuntary manslaughter, negligent use of a firearm, or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspection. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger of the prop gun that led to Hutchins' death.

If Baldwin is convicted, he could face up to 18 months in prison. Baldwin's trial is scheduled to begin in July. Representatives for Baldwin did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

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