In a significant development, actor Alec Baldwin has been charged once again with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” The charges were reinstated following an independent forensic test that suggested Baldwin would have had to pull the trigger for the live round to be fired.
The indictment, presented by a New Mexico grand jury, aligns with a previous FBI test on the firearm. Baldwin’s legal team, comprising Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, responded with a statement expressing their anticipation of the upcoming legal proceedings.
The October announcement by prosecutors to bring the case to a grand jury was met with criticism from defense lawyers, who referred to the situation as a “terrible tragedy” turned into a “misguided prosecution.” Baldwin, known for his Emmy-winning role in “30 Rock,” has consistently denied pulling the trigger and disclaimed responsibility for Hutchins’ death in the October 21, 2021, incident.
During the film’s production, director Joel Souza was wounded in the shoulder by the same bullet that tragically killed Hutchins. The assistant director, David Halls, who handed the gun to Baldwin, claimed he was unaware the weapon was loaded, having been told it was “cold.”
Notably, the grand jury indictment charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter under two legal definitions – causing death by the “negligent use of a firearm” and by acting “without due caution or circumspection.” Involuntary manslaughter is classified as a fourth-degree felony in New Mexico, carrying a potential sentence of up to 18 months in prison.
Previously dismissed charges against Baldwin were based on the possibility that the revolver’s hammer had been modified, allowing it to fire without the trigger being pulled. The renewed case now awaits further legal proceedings, with no immediate arraignment scheduled.
Hannah Gutierrez, the movie’s chief armorer, who handled the gun before Halls, is also facing involuntary manslaughter charges and is set to go to trial in 2024. Halls, on the other hand, has entered a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
The grand jury heard testimonies from key witnesses, including lead detective Alexandra Hancock and Lane Luper, a cameraman who left the “Rust” set before the shooting due to concerns about working conditions and safety.
Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins’ parents, emphasized their pursuit of truth and accountability in both the civil lawsuit and the criminal justice system. Baldwin and other “Rust” producers settled wrongful death claims in October 2022, and production of the film resumed in April 2023 in Montana, with no specified release date.
