Surprise Figure in the Baldwin Trial

In an unexpected twist of fate, Troy Teske walked into the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in March to hand over some bullets, never imagining he would become a pivotal figure in the high-profile Alec Baldwin trial. Dubbed the "Good Samaritan," Teske's revelations unexpectedly unraveled the prosecution's case against the actor, leading him to exclaim, “It blew up. It was hilarious to watch.”

Details of the Incident

Alec Baldwin faced serious charges for the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie "Rust." A dramatic courtroom scene unfolded in July when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer examined the bullets brought in by Teske, discovering three rounds that matched the live ammunition found at the scene of the incident, including the one that claimed Hutchins' life.

Impact on the Trial

The significance of these bullets was paramount; they had not been disclosed to Baldwin's defense, which prompted the judge to dismiss the case, affirming Baldwin's right to a fair trial. However, the discovery raised another crucial question: how did live bullets end up on a film set notorious for its safety protocols?

Speculations on Responsibility

The bullets in question led investigators to speculate a connection with Seth Kenney, the prop supplier who had provided weapons and ammunition for "Rust." While Kenney has denied all accountability, others have pointed fingers at Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer, who currently serves an 18-month sentence related to Hutchins' death.

Personal Connections and Thell Reed

Intriguingly, Teske had a personal connection to the case; he is a friend of Reed’s father, Thell Reed, an esteemed film armorer. In fact, Thell had stored some bullets at Teske's home. A few months before the shooting, he and Kenney utilized some of the same ammunition during a live-fire training session for the cast of the "Yellowstone" prequel “1883” at a ranch in Texas. After the training, Kenney returned to Albuquerque with the remaining rounds.

Theories and Evidence

Reed believed these live rounds somehow mingled with inert dummy bullets on the "Rust" set, but all hypotheses were revisited by detectives after a search revealed that the bullets Kenney had did not match those found at the shooting scene, challenging the prevailing theories of culpability.

Turning Over Evidence

Teske retained some of the original bullets, anticipating investigators would want to examine them. However, after they didn’t seize them, he decided to turn them over to the authorities himself, reluctantly believing that they might be destroyed otherwise.

Characteristics of the Bullets

During his time in Santa Fe, Teske discovered that three bullets in his possession had distinctive Starline Brass casings and silver primers, characteristics of the live ammo found on the set. He was initially skeptical about the significance of this find, dismissing it as inconsequential.

Claims of Deception

Throughout the proceedings, Teske alleged that Detective Alexandria Hancock’s claims regarding her attempts to contact him were untrue. She had logged the bullets under a different case number, effectively hiding them from Baldwin’s legal team. Ultimately, Baldwin's defense managed to bring the bullets to light, leading to a dramatic courtroom moment where they were validated by the judge.

Reflections and Concerns

The outcome has left Teske feeling conflicted. While Baldwin escaped unscathed, Gutierrez Reed is still serving her sentence, even though critical evidence was hidden from her during her trial. Teske expressed concern for Reed's safety in prison, noting that she faces animosity from other inmates who refer to her disparagingly.

Unanswered Questions

The overarching mystery of how live ammunition found its way onto the "Rust" set remains elusive. As the dust settles on this chaotic case, Teske reflects on the experience, stating, “All the evidence is gone — there’s no proving anything right now. I'm pretty much over it — I’m done thinking about it.”

Conclusion

The saga serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between Hollywood's glitz, the inherent dangers of film production, and ultimately, the need for accountability amidst tragic outcomes.