Update: Alec Baldwin Charged, Again, with Involuntary Manslaughter For Fatal Movie Shooting
Update: Alec Baldwin Charged, Again, with Involuntary Manslaughter For Fatal Movie Shooting
Update: (Jan. 19, 2024): Alec Baldwin’s past is seemingly catching up with him.
According to new reports, Today (Jan. 19) the 65-year-old actor was indicted by a New Mexico grand jury on charges of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. For those who may need a refresher, a few years ago Baldwin was accused of (accidentally) killing Hutchins while on set for the film “Rust.” Reportedly, he discharged a gun being used as a prop, injuring the film’s director and, unfortunately, ending Hutchins’ life.
According to Baldwin, he was told before the incident that the firearm was “cold,” meaning it had no live ammunition. He also claimed that he pulled back the hammer, but not the trigger, and the gun fired. A year ago Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but, a few months later the charges were dropped.
However, after the grand jury heard evidence presented by special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, the celeb was reportedly charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, he could face up to 18 months in prison.
An attorney for Hutchins’ family spoke on Baldwin’s latest indictment and said,
“Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021. They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit for them and they also would like there to be accountability in the criminal justice system.”
They continued,
“The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter. We are looking forward to the criminal trial which will determine if he should be convicted for the untimely death of Halyna.”
Original Story: (Feb. 9, 2023): Alec Baldwin has yet another lawsuit filed against him regarding the fatal “Rust” shooting.
According to legal documents, the parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins – the cinematographer killed in the “Rust” on-set shooting – have plans to file a new lawsuit against Alec Baldwin as well as several other individuals, including the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
The documents claim that several safety protocols on set were ignored, including their plea that Gutierrez-Reed should’ve been the only one handing Baldwin the gun and not Assistant Director David Halls, who’s also named as a defendant.
Prosecutors claim that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed failed to correct reckless safety violations and that the “Beetlejuice” actor had his finger inside the trigger and it was pulled – contradicting his statements saying he never pulled the trigger.
This new suit comes just one week after Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is facing the same charge. In addition, the film’s assistant director David Halls,
“has signed a plea deal for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.”
The prosecutor added:
“If any one of these three people—Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls—had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple.”
Both charges are considered fourth-degree felonies, punishable by up to 18 months behind bars and a $5,000 fine. However, if a jury finds Alec Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed guilty of the most serious charges that carry a firearm enhancement, they could face up to five years in prison.
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