Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the prop pistol shooting death of cameraman Halyna Hutchins on a film set. Mr. Baldwin was rehearsing a scene for the Western film Rust when the October 2021 incident occurred on a ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, will also be charged. Both parties’ attorneys stated that they will contest the charges in court.
Thursday, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies of Santa Fe stated that charges would be filed by the end of the month.
The announcement added,
“Actor and producer Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter.” “I have judged that the evidence is sufficient.”
“No one is above the law under my watch, and everyone deserves justice,” she declared.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 (£4,040) fine. They will be tried by a jury, according to prosecutors.
Film director Joel Souza was also injured in the shooting, but authorities stated that he would not be charged.
Assistant director David Halls pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to prosecutors. He must serve six months of probation.
Matthew Hutchins’s attorney stated in a statement that he supported the filing of the accusations. “The fact that no one is above the law in New Mexico is reassuring to the family,” he said.
However, Mr. Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, described the verdict as “a horrific miscarriage of justice.”
Mr. Nikas stated,
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to suspect there was a live bullet in the rifle or anywhere else on the film set.”
“He relied on the professionals with whom he collaborated, who informed him that the rifle did not contain live ammunition. We will fight these allegations and win.”
The attorney for Ms. Gutierrez Reed stated that the announcement was the product of a “very defective inquiry and a misunderstanding of the whole circumstances.”
“Hannah has always been quite sensitive and saddened by this awful accident,” said Todd Bullion. She did not, however, commit willful manslaughter.
Ms. Hutchins died shortly after being shot in the chest with a pretend gun by Mr. Baldwin on set. The tragedy led to charges of irresponsibility and requests for stricter safety regulations on film sets.
The New Mexico Environment Department fined producers more than $136,000 for failing to enforce safety measures after a preliminary inquiry into the incident revealed “a degree of carelessness.”
Rust Movie Productions, the film’s production firm, maintained that it was not responsible for overseeing the film set, let alone specific standards such as the maintenance and loading of weapons.
Mr. Baldwin stated after the shooting that the gun had misfired. He stated that he was unaware the weapon was loaded and did not pull the trigger. He stated,
“I don’t know what happened on that set or how that bullet got into that gun.”
Mr. Baldwin has also filed a lawsuit against a number of film crew members, including Ms. Gutierrez Reed and Mr. Halls, alleging that they both failed to thoroughly inspect the firearm.
In October, the 64-year-old actor and the film’s production company struck an undisclosed deal with Ms. Hutchins’ family.
It occurred when the spouse of the cinematographer filed a wrongful death case alleging violations of professional norms.
“We all agree that Halyna’s death was a tragic accident,” Mr. Hutchins stated at the time. “I have no desire to engage in recriminations or assigning blame.”
The project was slated to resume production this year, with Mr. Hutchins serving as executive producer.
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