Breaking News: Rust Movie Involuntary Manslaughter Charges To Be Announced
According to mainstream news sources, Alec Baldwin and the armorer of the Rust movie, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter after a October 2021 incident involving a gun on the film set that resulted in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident has put a spotlight on the use of prop firearms on film sets and the armorer’s responsibilities during filming.
The involuntary manslaughter charge in New Mexico is punishable by up to 18 months in prison, but a use of firearms enhancement can bring the term up to five years.
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Breaking News: Rust Movie Involuntary Manslaughter Charges To Be Announced
Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the Western movie “Rust,” prosecutors said Thursday.
Baldwin and the film’s armorer who was in charge of weapons on the set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter, according to New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.
“Rust” first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to DA’s office.
Carmack-Altwies said charges will be filed before the end of the month.
Involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is normally punishable by up to 18 months behind bars and a $5,000 fine, prosecutors said. But a firearm enhancement on the charges could make the crime punishable by a mandatory sentence of five years in jail, prosecutors said.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. Read the full article at NBCNews.com.
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I can see that the majority of comments about this are based on what a horrible person Baldwin is and his over the top politics. He is horrible but that should not cloud the facts and about how he is being treated by the prosecutor. Remember too that there is a difference between civil and criminal law. As a producer, he already has settled out of court.
The ammo supplier was responsible for supplying inert rounds, the armorer with overseeing the weapon and loading the weapon. The assistant director actually handed the weapon to Baldwin and declared it "cold". Of note, he already pled guilty to a "petty midomeanor"...sounds like a deal was struck. He received six months suspended sentence and s suspended sentence. SAG-AFTA is actually in Baldwin's defense on this; I think they would back off if the details were different.
So, it seems that the prosecutor wants some attention at the taxpayers expense. I am sure that any lawyer could convince a jury that Baldwin is not guily of these charges...especially given the deal struck with the assistance director
Baldwin confused by the fact that he was charged rather than the gun.