Baldwin, 65, was previouslycharged with involuntary manslaughterone year ago beforecharges were dropped three months later. He is now charged with involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, with involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection).
With this new charge, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison, according to New Mexico law.
Baldwin’s lawyers, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said, “We look forward to our day in court,” in response to Friday’s indictment.
The actor was holding a prop gun in 2021 on the set of the Western when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
The30 Rockactor has repeatedly maintained that he did not know the gun mistakenly contained a live bullet, and also claimed he did not pull the trigger.
“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,” an attorney for Hutchins' family,Gloria Allred, said in response to Friday’s indictment.
Added Allred, “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.”
Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins.John Lamparski/Getty; Mat Hayward/Getty
John Lamparski/Getty; Mat Hayward/Getty
But prosecutors accused the Emmy-winning star of “extremely reckless acts” when they charged him with two counts of involuntary manslaughter following a lengthy investigation.
Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also previously charged with involuntary manslaughter. She has pled not guilty and is set to stand trial in February.
Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust.Courtesy of Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office
According to a statement of probable cause filed in the First Judicial Court in New Mexico, Baldwin didn’t receive required firearms training; did not ask Gutierrez-Reed to show him that the gun contained no live rounds; ignored safety complaints from crew members; and put his finger “on the trigger of a real firearm when a replica or rubber gun should have been used.”
The movie ‘Rust’ filmed at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.Sam Wasson/Getty
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After special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis took over the case, they announced in April that they were dropping charges against Baldwin citing “new facts” in the case. They also said they reserved the right to re-charge him.
Two months later, the prosecutors wrote in a court filing that the gun had been sent to an independent expert for further testing.
“The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly effects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez. If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed,” they wrote.
Morrissey and Lewisannounced in October their intention to present a Santa Fe grand jury their case against Baldwin.
“We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial,” the statement said.
source: people.com
