About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 2024)
2A Thursday, February 29, 2024 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia I gainesvilletimes.com Expert in old west firearms says ‘Rust’ gun wouldn’t malfuction BY MORGAN LEE Associated Press Luis Sanchez Saturn Santa Fe New Mexican via AP Defendant Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, former armorer on the set of the movie “Rust”, walks back to her seat after speaking with District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer before her trial at District Court, Monday, Feb. 26, in Santa Fe, N.M. SANTA FE, N.M. — Courtroom testimony by an independent gun expert Tuesday cast new doubt on Alec Baldwin's account that his gun went off without pulling the trigger in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer during a 2021 rehearsal on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter with a trial scheduled for July in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a movie rehearsal on the outskirts of Santa Fe. “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is currently on trial for her possible role in the death, pleading not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. The armorer's trial has complex implications for Baldwin, who has not appeared in court. On Tuesday, firearms expert Lucien Haag provided a lengthy demonstration of the workings of a single action Colt revolver, like the gun held by Baldwin, and safety features that prevent a fully cocked hammer from striking and firing ammunition unless the trigger is depressed. An FBI expert testified in court Monday that the revolver used by Baldwin was fully functional with safety features when it arrived at an FBI laboratory. The expert said he had to strike the fully-cocked gun with a mallet and break it in order for it to fire without depressing the trigger. Haag, an Arizona-based consultant and expert in Old West firearms, testified Tuesday that he saw no evidence that the gun was broken or modified before it was tested by the FBI. “Have you seen any evidence that the full-cock hammer or notch was filed or modified to allow faster shooting?” prosecutor Kari Morrissey asked. “No,” replied Haag. Haag and a colleague reassembled the gun with only one damaged part—the hammer — to demonstrate that safety features still functioned anyway — stopping the hammer under a variety of circumstances when the trigger was not depressed. The jury watched a video of that experimentation with Baldwin's gun, as the hammer was pulled back and released multiple times — and caught each time by a safety notch before it could strike the ammunition chamber to fire the gun. “If you're trying to cock the gun and you lose your grasp on it, the hammer falls — that safety notch captures it,” Haag said. The lead detective in Santa Fe on the “Rust” investigation said she was notified that the FBI would perform testing on Baldwin's gun that might damage or destroy the gun. THANKYOU FOR READING FULL ACCESS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Our local news team, the largest in Northeast Georgia, works each day to bring you honestly local news delivered in several different platforms. Subscribers can tailor their preferences for reading the day’s news, whether that’s the traditional print edition or a combination of online formats. Print Traditional print editions are currently published Wednesday and Friday for delivery by mail. EPaper This platform offers the traditional look of a newspaper page but available on your tablet or other device. Editions are published Tuesday through Saturday, with two of those being replicas of the print edition. Access at gainesvilletimes.com/ epaper. Website Always stay up to date with us at gainesvilletimes.com. Newsletters Sign upatgainesvilletimes.com/ newsletters to receive email newsletters. Daybreak: A daily morning roundup of the same local news you get in the paper Refresh: An afternoon update of news happening each weekday Flight: A weekly guide to fun, food and family in Northeast Georgia Branch Out: A weekly update curating news out of South Hall County Extra Points: Latest local sports news, delivered twice weekly App A sleek experience on your cellphone that also offers notifications so you learn the biggest news quickly. Learn more at gainesvilletimes.com/app. Social media [j/gainesvilletimes @gtimes f@J @gtimesnews ABOUT US AND OUR VALUES The public has a right to know, and The Times is dedicated to that principle and the “continued enlightenment and freedom of the people of North Georgia,” as engraved outside our building. The pursuit of truth is a fundamental principle of journalism. But the truth is not always apparent or known immediately. A professional journalist’s role is to report as completely and impartially as possible verifiable facts so readers can, based on their own knowledge and experience, determine what they believe to be the truth. That is often an ongoing pursuit as journalists work to uncover stories and follow those stories wherever they lead, regardless of preconceived ideas. The news they report is separate from the opinions shared in the pages of The Times, which include those by its editorial board, columnists, political cartoonists and readers who submit letters to the editor. The presentation of both news and opinions is designed to educate, entertain and foster community conversation. Readers are encouraged to challenge and sharpen their perceptions based on that presentation. And we encourage readers to do the same for us, offering news tips, criticisms and questions. As your honestly local news source, we serve our readers first. Find us on these platforms or reach out to our newsroom at news@gainesvilletimes. com or 770-718-3435. EVENTS Preview Night for the 46th Annual GALA - Fine Art Auction. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb 29. Quinlan Vi sual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@qvac.org. Free. 46th Annual GALA - Fine Art Auction. 6:30 to 11 p.m. March 2. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@ qvac.org. $214 - $856. Elachee Adventure After Dark Guided Hike. 6 to 10 p.m. March 2. Chicopee Woods Aquatic Center, 2100 Calvary Church Rd., Gainesville. 770-535-1976. Free. Greeting Card Workshop. 10a.m.to 1 p.m. March 2. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532- 3311 et. 4011, gkoecher@hallcountylibrary. org. Free. Family Frolics. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 6. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976. $0 -$10. Homeschool Workshop: What is Soil?. 10 a.m. to noon March 6. Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville. $10. LEGO Club. 4 to 7 p.m. March 7,14. North Hall Tech Center, 4175 Nopone Rd. Suite B, Gaines ville. 770-532-3311. Caffeine and Octane Lanier Raceway. 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. March 8. Caffeine and Octane’s Lanier Raceway, 5301 Winder Highway, Braselton. Sitting up with the Dead. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 8. Gainesville Branch Library, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011. $15. Early Blooms: Witch Hazel and Spring Ephem- erals(WalkingTour). 10a.m.to noon March 9. Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville. $29 - $34. United Way of Hall County’s 75th Anniversary Gala. 6 to 10 p. m. March 9. The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-536-1121, kellison@ unitedwayofhallcounty.org. $75. Eagle’s Women’s Golf Chattahoochee Colle giate. March 11-12. Chattahoochee Golf Club, 301 Tommy Aaron Dr, Gainesville. WHHS Art Exhibition. 8a.m. to4:30 p.m. March 11-15. Flowery Branch City Hall, 5410 Pine St., Flowery Branch. Free. YAC.4:30 to5:30 p.m. March 11. North Hall Tech Center, 4175 Nopone Rd. Suite B, Gaines ville. 770-532-3311. Basic Building Blocks of Genealogy. 10:30 a.m. to noon March 12. Gainesville Branch Library, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext.4011. Free. Lifelong Learners- Master Naturalist LITE. 10 a.m. to noon March 14. Elachee Nature Science Publish your event Don’t see your event here? Organizers can go to gainesvilletimes.com/ calendar and submit their events for publication online and in print. Click the “+Add event” button at the top right and follow the prompts to add information and a photo. Events publish at the editors’ discretion. See more Go to gainesvilletimes.com/calendar for the full interactive calendar of events throughout the region. Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770- 535-1976. $0-$10. ONGOING Card workshop. 10a.m.to 1 p.m.first Satur days of the month. Hall County Library System, Gainesville branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gaines ville. 770-532-3311 ext. 4011, gkoecher@hall- countylibrary.org. Discovery Saturday. 10a.m.to3 p.m.Satur days. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr., Gainesville. 770-535-1976. $0- $10. Gentle Yoga. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.second, third and fourth Wednesdays. Blackshear Place Branch Library, 2927 Atlanta Highway, Gaines ville. 770-337-1572, dl9345@bellsouth.net. Free. Georgia Cross Stitchers. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. second Saturdays of the month. Hall County LibrarySystem, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311 ext.4011; gkoecher@hallcountylibrary.org. Free. Hip Hop Class Wednesdays. 4-5 p.m. (3rd to 5th Graders) through May 15. Gainesville Ballet Company, 971 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. 770- 866-5353, info@gbcdance.com. $88. Inspired by Nature: The Works of James R. Darnell Art Exhibit. 10 a.m. to4 p.m. weekdays through April 18. The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. 770-534- 2787, julie@theartscouncil.net. Free. Music Bingo. 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday. NoFo Brew Co. Gainesville, 434 High St. SW, Gaines ville, topher@nofobrew.co. Free. Northeast Georgia Writers. 1-3 p. m. first Wednesdays of the month. Gainesville Down town Library, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. talltaleswriter@gmail.com. Free. Trivia Night. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays. NoFo Brew Co Gainesville, 434 High St. SW, Gainesville, to- pher@nofobrew.co. Free. TODAY IN HISTORY AP Photo Hattie McDaniel, left, was given the Motion Picture Academy award for the best performance of an actress in a supporting role in 1939 for her work as “Mammy” in the film version of “Gone With the Wind” on Feb. 29, 1940 in Los Angeles, Calif. The presentation of the award was given by actress Fay Bainter, right. On this date: In 1504, Christopher Columbus, stranded in Jamaica during his fourth voyage to the West, used a correctly predicted lunar eclipse to frighten hostile natives into providing food for his crew. In 1796, President George Washington pro claimed Jay’s Treaty, which settled some out standing differences with Britain, in effect. In 1892, the United States and Britain agreed to submit to arbitration their dispute over seal hunting rights in the Bering Sea. (A commis sion later ruled in favor of Britain.) In 1904, bandleader Jimmy Dorsey was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. In 1916, singer, actor and TV personality Dinah Shore was born Frances Rose Shore in Winchester, Tennessee. (Shore, who claimed March 1,1917 as her birthdate, died in 1994 just days before she would have turned 78.) In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a second Neutrality Act as he appealed to American businesses not to increase ex ports to belligerents. In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award when she took best supporting actress for “Gone With the Wind,” which won eight Oscars overall including best picture. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced he would seek a second term of office. Serial killer Aileen Wuornos was born in Rochester, Michigan (she was executed bythe state of Florida in 2002). In 1960, the first Playboy Club, featuring wait resses clad in “bunny” outfits, opened in Chi cago. Serial killer Richard Ramirez was born in El Paso, Texas (he died in 2013 while awaiting execution in California). In 1968, at the Grammy Awards, the 5th Di mension's “Up, Up and Away” won record of the year for 1967, while album of the year hon ors went to The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band." She CTfmes gainesvilletimes.com A Metro Market Media Publication © 2024, Vol. 77, No. 42 Thursday, February 29,2024 HOW TO REACH US 345 Green St. N.W., Gainesville, GA 30501 P.0. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503 (770) 532-1234 Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Drive thru open: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Publisher Stephanie Woody swoody@forsythnews.com Group Editor Nate McCullough nmccullough@gainesvilletimes.com TALK TO AN EDITOR, REPORT AN ERROR If you spot an error, we want to correct it immediately. We also want your news tips and feature ideas. Call: (770) 718-3435 or (770) 532-1234, Ext. 3435 Advertising Sales Mgr Jessica Shirley Hours: 8:30 a m. to midnight. Mon.-Fri.; 2:00 p.m. to midnight Sat & Sun. jessicashirley@gainesvilletimes.com Editor John Chambliss jchambliss@gainesvilletimes.com Director of Audience Shannon Casas scasas@gainesvilletimes.com Controller Susan Andrews sandrews@gainesvilletimes.com e-mail: news@gainesvilletimes.com TO PLACE AN AD Classified: (770) 535-1199 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri. E-mail: classifieds@gainesvilletimes.com Display: (770) 532-1234, ext. 6380 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri. E-mail: displayads@gainesvilletimes.com SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE HOME DELIVERY Subscribe by phone or online: (770) 532-2222 or (770) 532-1234. Ext. 2222 Hours: 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. SUBSCRIPTION RATES INCLUDING TAX: Midweek and Weekend Print Mail Delivery (deftered throu^i USPS on Wed and Sat in Hal Canty) All print subscriptions include unlimited access to our website, our apps and the ePaper - the digital replica of the print edition. 3 months - $54.84 1 year-$219.35 6 months -$109.66 EZ Pay-$17.02/month All charges plus applicable sales tax are pay able in advance. The publisher reserves the right to change rates during the term of the subscription. Notice of a rate change may be made by mail to the subscriber, in the news paper or other means. Rate changes may be implemented by changing the duration of the subscriptions. Second class postage paid at Gainesville. GA. Postmaster: Send address changes to: P.0. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503. Periodical postage paid: USPS 212-860 Delivery problems call (770) 532-2222 SINGLE COPY The Times is available at retail stores, newspaper racks and at The Times for $2.00 Midweek Edition and $2.00 Weekend Edition For our digital subscription offerings, go to gainesvilletimes.com/subscribe ENTERTAINMENT Bon Jovi to be featured at first two IndyCar races of the season ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jon Bon Jovi will be featured at the first two IndyCar races of the season and take a ride in the “Fastest Seat in Sports” with four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. Meyer Shank Racing said Wednesday that SiriusXM’s Bon Jovi Radio channel will be featured on Felix Rosenqvist’s car at both next weekend’s season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the $1 million chal lenge at California’s Thermal Auto Club in late March. Bon Jovi will be in IndyCar’s star-studded two-seater at St. Pete when Castroneves leads the field to green on the downtown city streets for the March 10 season opener. Celebrity birthdays Former astronaut Jack Lousma is 88. Ecumeni cal Patriarch Bartholomew! of Constantinople is 84. Motivational speakerTony Robbins is 64. Legal affairs blogger Eugene Volokh is 56. Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. is 52. Poet, musician and hip-hop artist Saul Williams is 52. Rapper Ja Rule is 48. Singer-musician Mark Foster (Fosterthe People) is40. Former NHLgoalten- der Cam Ward is 40. Both will be wearing custom Bon Jovi Radio firesuits. Castroneves now has an ownership shake in Meyer Shank Racing, which is co-owned by Jim Meyer, the former CEO of SiriusXM. Rosenqvist will be making his MSR debut. “SiriusXM has an amazing network of tal ent and it is so cool to get to collaborate with them for programs like this with Bon Jovi,” said Meyer. “It’s best of both worlds for everyone, with these artists getting exposed to IndyCar in a big way while also helping to raise the profile of these events with their fan bases.” Associated Press
