Alec Baldwin Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in “Rust” Movie Set Shooting

Prosecutors announced Thursday that Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez–Reed will be charged with two counts of involuntary murder in connection to the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer. Baldwin’s Rust set.

This charge is announced two years after Alec Baldwin shot and murdered Halyna Hutchins (42-year-old cinematographer) and injured Joel Souza (director) with a live bullet from a prop pistol.

Kris Van Cleve, CBS News National Correspondent Kris Van Cleve reports that Assistant Director David Hall is in place “has signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The terms include a suspended sentence and six months probation.”

Joel Souza, Rust director, was not charged in connection with the shooting. He was hurt but survived.

In a statement Mary Carmack, New Mexico First Judicial district Attorney, stated that she would bring criminal charges against both of them by the end the month.

“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. “”On my watch, nobody is above the law.”

“Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be ‘charged in the alternative’ with the two counts of manslaughter, meaning that a jury would decide not simply if they were guilty, but under which definition of involuntary manslaughter they were guilty,” A statement from her office stated that.

Involuntary murder is a fourth degree felony in New Mexico. It comes with an 18 month sentence and a fine of $5,000.

Carmack-Altwies stated that “The other charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act,” This is also a fourth degree felony with the same sentencing.

“If any one of these three people—Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls—had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple,” Andrea Reeb, a special prosecutor appointed to this case by the DA, said so. “The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”

Baldwin stated in 2021 that he would be retiring from politics after speaking with George Stephanopolous. “didn’t pull the trigger,” However, a subsequent FBI analysis found that he actually pulled the trigger.

The prop gun was loaded with live ammunition and the gun had an open cap. misfired The fatal shooting occurred multiple times.

In April of 2022, New Mexico’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau fined Rust Movie Productions $136.793, the maximum fine.

According to some reports, the bureau also issued a “scathing narrative of safety failures in violation of standard industry protocols,” which included testimony that the production’s managers took little to no action to address two previous misfires leading up to the fatal October shooting.

They also noted numerous gun safety complaints made by crew members, which they claim went unnoticed. 

The production’s head armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-ReedShe had been the subject of several complaints regarding her handling of weapons. Gutierrez-Reed Hutchins and her assistants were also accused of playing with weapons on Rust. Hutchins was reportedly advocating safer conditions for her team.

Baldwin launched a company in November 2022. lawsuit Several crew members were criticized for their recklessness and dereliction in duty.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is the chief armorer. Assistant Director Dave Halls is Prop Master Sarah Zachry. Seth Kenney supplies the guns. 

Baldwin was the previous month settled with Hutchins’ family in a wrongful death suit. As part of the agreement, Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s widower, will act as an executive producer when the film resumes production. 

It was announced that Rust would resume production in January 2022. However, production would not resume at New Mexico in October 2022. Variety.

This is a breaking story that will be updated.

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