Alec Baldwin, a Hollywood actor, has been indicted in New Mexico for involuntary murderer in relation to the shooting death of a cinematographer at the Western film Rust.
Baldwin has pledged to fight the two charges against him. His lawyer called the case a “terrible misscarriage in justice”.
After a prop gun that was held by the star aged 64 was fired during filming rehearsals in October 2021, a live round killed Halyna HUTCHINS, 42.
Baldwin could be sent to prison for as long as five years. Prosecutors would have to convince the jury that Baldwin was negligent and reckless when he used a firearm.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with involuntary murder.
Experts in legal research have stated that prosecutors will struggle without proof that Baldwin and GutierrezReed knew live ammunition existed but did not take precautions.
The Santa Fe District Attorney made a statement regarding the probable cause of Hutchins’s death and listed many problems with Baldwin’s conduct.
They stated:
- Baldwin was absent from required firearms training
- He failed to show up for the training and was instead given a 30-minute training on-site during which he was distracted by talking to his family over the phone.
- In the days leading up to Hutchins’s death, he displayed “reckless behavior.”
- In the days leading up to the incident, he had pointed his firearm at Hutchins. This was in violation of gun safety rules
- Baldwin did not perform the safety checks required by Gutierrez-Reed
- He broke protocol when he allowed Gutierrez-Reed to leave the church set
- He didn’t deal with safety concerns on the set.
- For the unscheduled practice, he did not use a replica gun
- Gutierrez-Reed had only worked on one film before this movie. This showed that he “failed” to insist on safety protocols and standards on the set.
The District Attorney stated that there were “no fewer than 12 acts, or omissions, of recklessness” on set the day before the incident. This does not include the actor’s handling the gun.
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The District Attorney stated that “Baldwin’s departure from established standards, practice, and protocol directly caused Hutchins’ death.”
Both Baldwin and GutierrezReed must appear in court within 30 days – in person or virtually.
The special prosecutor and the District Attorney will then present their cases to the judge. He will decide if there is probable cause for a trial to proceed.
Hutchins’s family was happy to hear that Baldwin had been charged in January.
Dave Halls, Rust assistant director, is being charged with negligent use of deadly weapons. He has pleaded not guilty and entered into a plea deal that is currently awaiting approval.
According to industry-wide guidelines, actors should assume that a firearm is loaded using blanks. Professional weapons handlers will ensure that a weapon remains safe.
Actors are instructed to not point a weapon at anyone without the supervision of professionals in firearms. Sets are strictly prohibited from carrying live ammunition.
Gutierrez-Reed stated that she checked that the rounds in her revolver were not dummies before giving it to Halls.
Baldwin was handed the gun by Halls, who claimed it was a “cold guns” or unloaded.
Jason Bowles was Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer. He stated that Hannah pleaded for more firearms training. She was refused and ignored.
He said, “We will fight these accusations and expect that Hannah will not be found guilty by a jury.”
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After a long investigation that also involved the FBI, the decision to bring charges was made three months later when prosecutors received the Santa Fe sheriff’s final report regarding the shooting.
It is still not clear how the live ammunition was able to get onto the set.
Baldwin and Rust’s production company reached an undisclosed settlement with Hutchins’s families in October. They also announced that the film would be produced again this year. Baldwin was confirmed by the film’s lawyer that she would continue to play the lead role in the film.
Hutchins’ husband Matt will continue to be executive producer. Joel Souza, who sustained injuries during the shooting, will return as director.
