Judge approves subpoena for “Rust” assistant director who declined several interviews

The deputy director who handed Alec Baldwin A prop gun that killed a cinematographer on a New Mexico film set should be made available for an interview with state workplace safety regulators, a judge has decided.

On Friday, District Judge Bryan Biedscheid granted a request from the state Department of Environment’s Office of Occupational Safety and Health to issue a subpoena for Dave Halls, assistant director of the film “Rust,” local media reported. .

Director of photography Halyna hutchins was assassinated and director Joel souza was injured in the Oct. 21 shooting on the Bonanza Creek Ranch film set near Santa Fe.

Security officials tried twice since November 2 to interview Halls for their investigation, but he refused both times through his attorney and said he would not agree to an interview until a criminal investigation into the shooting is completed. wrote a compliance officer Wednesday in an affidavit in support of the subpoena request.

The interview with Halls is necessary because he had responsibilities for set security, knew who was present during the shooting and had handled the weapon, according to the request.

Rebecca Roose, an assistant cabinet secretary for the Department of the Environment, told the Santa Fe New Mexican that the department proposed an interview Tuesday, but that the judge could set another date or Halls’ attorney could object to the subpoena.

Halls’ attorney, Lisa Torracco, did not immediately respond to a voicemail message left by The Associated Press seeking comment.

However, KOB-TV reported that Torraco told the station that Halls will cooperate with state investigators.

Baldwin has said that he did not know that the weapon contained an active bullet and that investigators must find out who placed it in the weapon.