The family of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins blasted authorities after they released footage of her final moments.
The footage released by authorities shows paramedics attempting to save Hutchins’ life after actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun.
The Los Angeles Times reported Brian Panish, the lawyer representing Hutchins’ family, argued the sheriff’s office violated the family’s constitutional rights by releasing the footage before speaking with them.
Panish urged the sheriff’s office to retract the video, as the outlet reported.
“The first time Mr. Hutchins saw the disturbing and unsettling video footage of his dying wife lying on the church floor was on Radar Online, an internet website,” Panish said in a letter to Sheriff Adan Mendoza, according to the Times.
He added, “The potential consequences are disturbing given how information is misused on social media. We fear, for example, that this shocking footage of Andros’ mother dying may be material used by bullies to emotionally abuse him in the future.”
He continued, “Your office trampled on the constitutional rights of the Hutchins” family. “The damage your office has done is irreparable.”
According to Panish, the sheriff had promised to give Matthew Hutchins less than one business day to look over the material before it was released to the media.
“Taking down the video will end your office’s complicity in causing further harm,” Panish wrote.
The footage also showed Baldwin’s exchange with investigators after the incident, as IJR reported.
When asked if he was okay, Baldwin replied, “No, I’m not actually.”
He admitted he was the one holding the gun.
“I’m happy to stay right here and do everything you need,” Baldwin said.
Additionally, as NBC News reported, “The trove of evidence includes a series of emails from crew members raising serious safety concerns before the shooting.”