Alec Baldwin has been charged with manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rusty.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armory responsible for on-set weapons, is facing the same charges, while assistant director David Halls has signed a plea deal charging him with negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Hutchins42, after prop gun hero dies BaldwinNow 64, he was released from the hospital in October 2021 during rehearsals for the western. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident at the Bonanza Creek ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Halyna Hutchins’ family welcomes decision
Baldwin’s attorney said the decision “misrepresents the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and represents a horrific miscarriage of justice,” adding: “We will fight these allegations, and we will win.”
Hutchins’ family welcomed the allegations, saying they wanted the justice system to “hold those who violated the law to account.”
“No one is above the law and everyone deserves justice,” Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in the announcement.
Special prosecutor Andrea Ribb added: “If any of these three individuals – Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls – complete the Their work, Halina Hutchins would be alive today. Simple as that.”
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was the armourer on set. File image: Shutterstock
Prosecutors have been awarded $317,750 (£282,900) in extra funding to investigate the high-profile case.
The decision to charge comes three months after they received the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office’s final report on the shooting and follows a lengthy investigation involving the FBI.
“The evidence clearly shows that there is a criminal pattern of disregard for safety on Rust movie sets. There is no movie set in New Mexico that does not take the state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously,” Ms. Reeb said.
read more:
Baldwin did pull the trigger, FBI says
Families of Rust producer and cinematographer reach settlement
Highlights from Baldwin’s post-shooting interview
“We will fight and we will win”
Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, said in his full statement: “This decision misrepresents the tragic death of Halena Hutchins and represents a horrific miscarriage of justice.
“Mr. Baldwin has no reason to believe that there was a live ammunition in the gun or anywhere in the movie scene. He relied on the professionals who worked with him and they assured him that there was no live ammunition in the gun. We will fight these allegations and we will win.”
A lawyer for Gutierrez-Reed said: “Hannah is and has been very emotional and saddened by this tragic accident. But she was not guilty of manslaughter. These allegations are a very flawed investigation The result, but also the result of an inaccurate understanding of events. The whole truth.
“We intend to uncover the full truth and are confident that the jury will acquit Hannah of wrongdoing.”
“Conscious disregard for human life”
In a statement issued on behalf of the Hutchins family, Attorney Brian J. The charge is manslaughter. Conscious disregard for human life.
“Our independent investigation also supports that the charges are warranted. In New Mexico, no one is above the law, which is a source of comfort to the families. We support the charges and will cooperate fully with this prosecution and fervently hope that the justice system will Protect the public and hold violators accountable.”
Criminal Charges Announced Three Months After Baldwin and Rust Productions reached a settlement After Hutchins’ husband, Matthew, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, she paid Hutchins’ family an undisclosed amount and announced that production on the film would resume this year.
A number of other lawsuits have also been filed over the shooting.
What’s happening now?
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be “alternately charged” with two counts of manslaughter, meaning the jury will have to decide not only whether they are guilty, but also whether they are guilty.
Prosecutors said the first charge could simply be called manslaughter, and for that to be proven there would have to be underlying negligence. Manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony under New Mexico law and carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine (£4,040). The charge also includes a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a firearm.
The other charge is manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act, which requires proof that more than simple negligence was involved. It’s also a fourth-degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. However, prosecutors said the charge included an additional penalty – because a firearm was involved – which made the offense mandatory for five years in prison.
Ms Carmack-Altwies and Ms Reeb have until the end of January to formally file charges. After the application is filed, each defendant will receive a summons to appear in court for the first time in person or virtually.
The initial court appearance will be followed by a preliminary hearing before a judge for the district attorney and special counsel to present their case. The judge will then rule on whether it is possible to proceed with the trial. A preliminary hearing is usually scheduled within 60 days of the charges being filed.
Prosecutors said no charges would be filed for Souza’s injuries.
They confirmed details of Hall’s plea agreement, saying the terms included probation and six months of probation.