Next twist in the Baldwin drama!
More than a year after the tragic gunshot on the Netflix set, the film could star Alec Baldwin (64) still be held accountable. Prosecutors in the US state of New Mexico want to press charges against the actor. This was announced by the authority on Thursday.
Mary Carmack-Altwies, chief prosecutor, is now charging the main actor, who also produced the film “Rust” and was therefore partly responsible, with manslaughter. But Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is responsible for gun safety on the set, is also summoned to court.
Carmack Altwies: “In my eyes no one is above the law and everyone deserves justice.”
Federal Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies now wants to take Baldwin to court
Rust set: Baldwin shot dead in this church in 2021 (hat to camera)
In October 2021, the cinematographer arrived on set in New Mexico while filming the western Halyna Hutchins († 42) died after being accidentally shot by a revolver during rehearsals. The shooter: Baldwin.
Aspiring cinematographer Halyna Hutchins lost her life on set
Why the gun was loaded with live ammunition was never finally clarified. In addition to Hutchins as the fatal victim, director Joel Souza (49) was also hit and injured.
After the accident, it initially seemed as if Baldwin would not have to fear any criminal consequences. He himself said that to the press and did it instead responsible for his film crew. The actor told CNN, “Someone put a live bullet in the gun who should have known better. That was Gutierrez Reed’s job. Your job was to look at the ammo and load the dummy or blank and there shouldn’t be any live rounds on set.”
Only civil lawsuits have since been filed against Baldwin, including by relatives of the late cinematographer Hutchins.
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is also charged with manslaughter
In October 2022, Baldwin surprised everyone by announcing that he wanted to continue the film project “Rust”, which had been put on hold since the accident. Hutchin’s widower Matthew, who previously sued Baldwin and other producers on the Western, even planned to be a part and start filming again in January.
Now the project could face another end. How to proceed with the title is unclear.
Widower Matthew Hutchins said in a statement that investigators and prosecutors have “concluded that the killing of Halyna Hutchins with a willful disregard for human life justifies a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Our independent investigation also confirms that charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that no one is above the law in New Mexico.”
First, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed face an initial hearing scheduled for the next 60 days. Then it will be decided whether there will be a negotiation. Both defendants are not to be arrested for the time being.
But: Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
