Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter over fatal Rust shooting
<p>Charges are to be made over an on-set tragedy that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. </p>
<p>Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the tragic incident. </p>
<p>In New Mexico, involuntary manslaughter carries a penalty of up to 18 months in prison, as well as a fine. The case requires prosecutors prove that Hutchins died as a result of underlying negligence, and “includes the misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a firearm.” </p>
<p>Confirmation came from Mary Carmack-Altwies, Sante Fe’s district attorney, who said that the charges against Baldwin and Reed would be filed by the end of January. </p>
<p>“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico,” said Carmack-Altqies, “I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the <em>Rust</em> film crew. On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.” </p>
<p>Baldwin’s attorney, however, believes the decision to be “a terrible miscarriage of justice.”</p>
<p>The news comes after a year of investigation into the incident, in which a revolver Alec was using during a rehearsal for the film <em>Rust </em>fired a live round and caused a fatal wound to Hutchins. The film’s director, Joel Souza, was also hit but survived his injuries. </p>
<p>The investigation into Halyna’s death sought to learn how live rounds made it onto the set at all, and from there into a functioning firearm. </p>
<p>In 2022, New Mexico's Occupational Health and Safety Bureau found that the film production company behind <em>Rust</em> was aware that firearm safety procedures were not being followed, and the hazards on set were being met with indifference. </p>
<p>While Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed are to each face the charges of involuntary manslaughter, the film’s assistant director, David Halls, has signed a plea agreement for the negligent use of a deadly weapon. </p>
<p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F1stJDA%2Fposts%2Fpfbid026SV45YMwTanEhpdL3BpczGn4PiRbKirEyokhGSph8j6PrnS8XRhViE4EPWmKsiYzl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="199" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>As special prosecutor Andrea Weeb stated, “if any one of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today.”</p>
<p>Baldwin has maintained that he was unaware of the live rounds, and that he was informed the weapon was ‘cold’ - a term used in the industry to mean the gun is ‘safe’. In 2021, the actor said in an interview that he did not pull the trigger, and that the gun fired when cocked. </p>
<p>Luke Nikas, Baldwin’s attorney, supported these claims, stating that “Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun … He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds.</p>
<p>“We will fight these charges, and we will win.”</p>
<p><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>
