The first sentencing for cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ death while filming the film ‘Rust,’ starring Alec Baldwin, was announced on Friday (March 31). First assistant director Dave Halls was sentenced to six months probation for unsafe handling of a firearm.
The incident occurred in October 2021, when Halls handed Baldwin a gun supposedly loaded with blanks, who ended up shooting and killing Hutchins, as well as injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza. Halls informed Baldwin that the gun was “legal” and not dangerous, in Hollywood parlance.
Halls’ conviction is the first in the case that shocked Hollywood and brought attention to safety on movie sets. Both Baldwin and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have been charged with manslaughter and face a possible sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
The police investigation seeks to find out how live ammunition ended up on the film set, as this is strictly prohibited to avoid accidents. Police concluded that Gutierrez-Reed placed the ammunition in the weapon used by Baldwin, rather than a blank shell.
During the hearing, prosecutor Kari Morrissey pointed out that Halls, also a safety coordinator, had not “checked all the bullets” in the gun to confirm they were powderless bullets. Baldwin always assumed his gun was harmless and pleaded not guilty.
With Halls’ conviction, the investigation gains a new chapter and he agreed to testify on the matter in the future. The case highlighted the importance of safety on film sets and the need for tougher measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: Terra
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