On the set of the low-budget western “Rust,” Alec Baldwin accidentally shot a cinematographer, who was later charged with involuntary manslaughter.
During the film’s rehearsals, Baldwin was carrying the Colt.45 when it accidentally killed Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. Mary Carmack-Altwies, the First Judicial District Attorney for New Mexico, had already declared earlier this month that there was enough proof to bring criminal charges against the seasoned American actor.
Carmack-Altwies declared on Tuesday, “Today we have taken another significant step in getting justice for Halyna Hutchins.” “No one is above the law in New Mexico, and justice will be done.”
Investigators claimed Baldwin had been “distracted and conversing on his cell phone to his family” while participating in a firearms training exercise in their probable cause statement.
The session was supposed to last “at least an hour or more,” they said, quoting the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, but he barely went for about 30 minutes. On Tuesday, Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the set’s weaponry, received a formal accusation for the same offense as Baldwin.
If found guilty, they might receive a $5,000 fine and up to 18 months in jail, but if the case also includes a firearm, the punishment could be increased to five years.
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Baldwin, a former “30 Rock” star, has claimed time and time again that the crew informed him the gun was unloaded and he did not pull the trigger. The accusation, which Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas referred to as a “sad miscarriage of justice,” will be overturned, he has assured.
Prosecutors, according to Gutierrez attorneys, Reed’s “totally misread the facts” and “reached the erroneous conclusions,” they claimed on Tuesday. Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion declared, “We will defend these allegations and anticipate that a jury will find Hannah not guilty.
Separately, “Rust” assistant director Dave Halls entered a no-contest plea to careless use of a deadly weapon after giving Baldwin the gun and telling him it was “cold,” which is filmmaking jargon for safe.
After a court approves it, his plea deal will be made public. Both Gutierrez-Reed and co-producer of the film Baldwin are accused of two different counts of manslaughter, each involving varying degrees of recklessness.
Both counts carry a maximum jail sentence of 18 months, but one of them—involuntary manslaughter in furtherance of a lawful act—includes an additional mandatory sentence of five years in prison because a firearm was used in the deed.
Within one month of the filing on Tuesday, New Mexico prosecutors will issue a court appearance warrant for the defendant. If you require any additional information, please visit our Digitalnewsexpert.com.
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