Following the fatal shooting of the movie’s cameraman, New Mexico prosecutors announced they are seeking felony criminal charges against actor Alec Baldwin and the armourer of the low-budget western “Rust.”
The accusations mark the dramatic conclusion of more than a year of rumours about who would be held guilty for the death of rising star cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. On October 21, 2021, Hutchins was shot in the chest while rehearsing a scene with Baldwin and the movie’s injured director, Joel Souza.
Is Alec Baldwin at Fault for the Death of Halyna Hutchins? Is the Main Issue at His Criminal Trial
The difficulties of involuntary manslaughter trials are illustrated by the allegations that Alec Baldwin is expected to face in the killing of “Rust” cameraman Halyna Hutchins. In relation to Hutchins’ passing, Baldwin is anticipated to face two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Furthermore, the gun’s loader Hannah Gutierrez Reed will face charges of involuntary manslaughter from the prosecution.
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The district attorney declared that she intended to present the jury with two possible counts. Baldwin or Gutierrez may spend up to 18 months in prison and pay a $5,000 fine if found guilty of the lesser misdemeanour. Because the alleged crime involves the use of a firearm, the district attorney will also ask the jury to take into account a heavier punishment, which includes a mandatory five-year jail sentence.
David Halls, the movie’s assistant director, entered a plea agreement to accept a misdemeanour charge of careless use of a deadly weapon. Halls is accused by authorities of giving Baldwin the loaded handgun just before a rehearsal in an old wooden church at Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe.
The accusations were made public by Mary Carmack-Altwies, the First Judicial District Attorney for New Mexico, on Thursday, nearly 15 months after Baldwin is accused of firing the live round from his fake pistol without realising the Colt. 45 revolver was loaded with live ammo. Although real bullets are not allowed on movie sets, authorities eventually discovered a number of other lead bullets mixed in with inert dummy rounds.
“I have determined that there is adequate evidence to press criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said after carefully examining the evidence and the statutes of the state of New Mexico. No one is above the law and everyone deserves justice under my watch.
Attorney Brian J. Panish, who represents the Hutchins family, stated that they “support the allegations, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and passionately hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who disobey the law.”
The Day When Joel Souza and Halyna Hutchins Were Shot by Alec Baldwin
Jason Bowles and Todd J. Bullion, the attorneys for Gutierrez Reed, described the inquiry as “flawed” and stated that they “plan to bring the complete truth to light and think Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury.” The incident, which was caused by a string of mistakes on the low-budget production, sparked demands in Hollywood for producers to improve the safety standards on sets.
Baldwin was one of the “Rust” producers. The 64-year-old Hollywood icon, who won praise for his roles in “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “The Hunt for Red October,” as well as on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” may now go to trial or enter into a plea agreement.
Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, stated that the ruling “distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and reflects a horrific miscarriage of justice,” adding that his client “relied on the specialists with whom he worked, who informed him the gun did not hold live rounds. These accusations will be fought, and we will prevail.
The choice was made three months after Hutchins’ family and Baldwin and the other producers of the movie reached a potential settlement deal to put an end to the wrongful death civil action the family brought early in the previous year. Matthew Hutchins, the widower of the cinematographer, referred to his spouse’s passing as “a dreadful accident.” The suggested agreement would allow for the movie’s production to resume this year.
Coverage in Its Entirety: Halyna Hutchins Was Shot and Killed on the “Rust” Set
Baldwin has consistently defended his innocence, claiming in television interviews that he did not pull the trigger and that maintaining gun safety was not his job.
A reproduction of a vintage Colt.45, according to reports written by FBI experts in Virginia, “functioned normally when tested in the laboratory,” casting doubt on that assertion.
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The FBI investigation also mentioned that the revolver would have needed to have had the trigger pressed in order to discharge. Baldwin’s insistence that he did not pull the trigger makes this troublesome for him, according to Beverly Hills entertainment lawyer Mitra Ahouraian.
Gutierrez Reed and Halls have received blame from Baldwin for failing to do their duties. Gun safety is normally the responsibility of the assistant director, property master, and armourer.
Baldwin said in 2022 at the Boulder International Film Festival, “I’ve trusted on the safety experts [on set] to pronounce the gun safe and never had a problem. Afterward, this occurred. Experts said such defence might not be effective.
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