Actor Alec Baldwin doesn’t have to worry about at least one of the “Rust” civil suits, which have been put on hold in the middle of his criminal trial.
In late January 2023, the “30 Rock” actor was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the October 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
“Rust” actress Hannah Gutierrez-Reed also faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter while first assistant director David Halls pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Alec Baldwin’s Civil Negligence Case Paused Awaiting ‘Rust’ Criminal Trial
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On Wednesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismissed one of the civil cases against Alec Baldwin (via Deadline). Script supervisor Mamie Mitchell filed a negligence lawsuit against Alec Baldwin, the producers of “Rust” and several others.
However, pending his criminal trial, an LA judge halted the lawsuit and withdrew any risk of self-incrimination for Baldwin until next year, when the trial is expected to end.
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In a court filing, LASC Judge Michael E. Whitaker declared, “The trial date is continued from May 17, 2023, to February 21, 2024, or as soon thereafter as the Court’s calendar and availability.”
“The Parties believe the continuation of the trial and all related dates serves the interests of all parties by allowing the parties to maximize settlement negotiations in good faith and complete discovery,” the order continued, hinting at a possible future settlement.
Alec Baldwin & Hannah Gutierrez-Reed To Appear In Court On Thursday
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The order was made one day before Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed are expected to appear in court for a virtual hearing on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Baldwin’s legal team, Gutierrez-Reed’s legal team and Mary Carmack-Altwies’ Santa Fe County will all be present at tomorrow’s hearing, which is expected to schedule an initial hearing date.
It’s possible Baldwin’s motion to disqualify special prosecutor Andrea Reeb could also be scheduled for Thursday as well. With Baldwin scheduled to resume filming “Rust” in Montana this spring, it could be months before the trial begins.
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Alec Baldwin filed his not guilty plea on February 23. He and Gutierrez-Reed face up to 18 months in prison if convicted along with a $5,000 fine.
He recently had a firearms enhancement statute removed from his charge, which would have carried a mandatory five-year prison sentence if convicted.
Firearms Charges Dropped Against Baldwin & Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
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The gun enhancement statute was not put into law until seven months after Halyna Hutchins was killed, leading Baldwin’s legal team to claim that the charges were unconstitutional.
According to legal documents filed by Baldwin’s team, via Deadline, “The prosecutors in this case committed an unconstitutional and fundamental legal error by charging Mr. Baldwin under a statute that did not exist on the date of the accident.”
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The paper went on to say, “It therefore appears that the government intends to impose the current version of the gun enhancement statute, which was not enacted until May 18, 2022, seven months after the accident.”
“Therefore, the increase should not be binding,” the legal document states. “Applying the current version of the statute would be unconstitutionally retroactive, and the government has no legal basis to prosecute Mr. Baldwin under the version of the statute that existed at the time of the accident.”
Santa Fe DA Slams ‘Celebrities With Fancy Lawyers’ After Dropping ‘Rust’ Firearms Charges
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At first, the Santa Fe District Attorney seemed resistant to dropping the charges. Spokeswoman Heather Brewer argued, “The District Attorney and special prosecutor are actively reviewing all applicable laws to ensure they have the strongest possible case to get justice for Halyna Hutchins.”
However, they later dropped the gun upgrade charge while targeting Baldwin. “Another day, another motion from Alec Baldwin and his lawyers in an attempt to distract from the gross negligence and complete disregard for safety on the set of Rust that led to the death of Halyna Hutchins,” Brewer said.
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“In accordance with good legal practice, the District Attorney and special prosecutor will review all motions—even those given to the media—before they are presented to the DA,” Brewer added.
“However, the focus of the DA and the special prosecutor will always remain on making sure that justice is served and that everyone–even celebrities with high-end lawyers–are held accountable under the law.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
