DA Drops Firearm Enhancement Charge Against Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin has won a key legal battle that saw one of his charges over the deadly shooting of Halyna Hutchins dropped — drastically reducing the potential prison time he is facing.
The Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the office had dropped a firearm enhancement to one involuntary killing charge. “30 Rock” Star was facing.
Without it, that means he faces a maximum of 18 months in prison for manslaughter — down from the five years he’d faced before.
Baldwin’s 64-year-old lawyers had argued previously that the charge was not a criminal offense. “unconstitutional” It was based on New Mexico legislation that was passed after the tragic October 2021 shootings on the set. “Rust.”
Heather Brewer, spokesperson for the district attorney confirmed that the enhancement was removed due to legal arguments.
“In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the ‘Rust’ film set,” Brewer spoke to The Post.
“The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys,” Brewer made the scathing remarks.
The legal documents reveal that the enhancement was officially removed in filings Friday, one week before the star’s first court hearing.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with the reduced charges. She was the rookie armorer who provided weapons for the doomed set.
Baldwin’s lawyers claimed in a February 10 filing that the enhancement was due to a legal change on May 18, 2022. This was seven months after mother of one Hutchins (42), was killed while she was practicing a scene.
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“The prosecutors committed a basic legal error by charging Mr. Baldwin under a version of the firearm-enhancement statute that did not exist on the date of the accident,” Baldwin’s lawyers filed a court document.
Jason Bowles, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, filed papers the day before stating that his team. “adopts and incorporates” The same argument applies.
Bowles said to The Post Monday after Monday’s announcement “We applaud the decision of the District Attorney to dismiss the gun enhancement and it was the right call, ethically, and on the merits.”
Luke Nikas was not available to comment on Baldwin’s request.
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