Alec Baldwin is charged again with involuntary manslaughter

Alec Baldwin will be charged with manslaughter after the fatal shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins.

In October 2021, the director of photography, Hutchins, was tragically murdered on the set of the western, ‘Rust’, due to a shot fired by Baldwin with a gun (supposedly a blank).

As reported by the BBC, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the person responsible for the film’s weaponry, will also be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. – a charge would imply a penalty of 18 months in prison and a fine of £4,000 (if they are found guilty); the other charge for manslaughter, could result in 5 years of imprisonment.

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced in a statement: “Actor and producer Alec Baldwin and technician Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will be charged with two counts of manslaughter. I have determined that the evidence is more than sufficient. During my tenure, no one will be above the law. Everyone deserves justice.”

Baldwin, who was acting as an actor and producer on the set, is charged with the execution of the shooting, but also with the negligence in preserving the general security of the shoot.

Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nizas, shared in another statement (as reported by Deadline): “This decision misrepresents the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe that there was a live bullet in the pistol. – or anywhere else on the set. He trusted the professionals he worked with, who assured him that the weapon did not contain live ammunition. We will fight these charges and we will win.”

For their part, Gutierrez-Reed defenders Jason Bowles and Todd J. Bullion commented: “Hannah is, and always has been, tremendously shocked and affected by this tragic accident. She has not committed a manslaughter. The charges are the result of a flawed investigation and from a lack of understanding of all the facts. We will try to bring the truth to light and we believe that Hannah will be cleared of these charges.”

The film’s director, Joel Souza, was also wounded by the shot. However, no charges have been filed in connection with his injuries.

In response to these announcements, the Hutchins family also released a message: “We thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and District Attorney for completing the thorough investigation that substantiates these manslaughter charges for the murder of Halyna Hutchins., with the consequent contempt for the human life it represents. Our independent investigation also confirms that these allegations hold water.”

“It’s a relief for the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law. We support the charges and will fully cooperate at trial. We hope the judicial system will work to protect the people and hold those who break the law accountable for their actions.”

In October 2022, it was announced that ‘Rust’ would resume production in January 2023 after reaching an agreement with the Hutchins family. This would include a mention of Hutchins as an executive producer on the film.

Although the agreement initially meant the involuntary manslaughter case against the producers of ‘Rust’ was dismissed, a review of the evidence, in particular the fact that real and fake ammunition was mixed, has led to charges being filed.

Carmack-Altwies added (via CNN): “An actor doesn’t get a free pass just for being an actor. That’s what’s important. Here in New Mexico we say that we are all equal before the law.”