Actor Alec Baldwin and shield Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have been criminally charged in the death of Halyna Hutchins.
The famous cinematographer lost his life on the set of the Western film “Rust” on October 26, 2021, while the crew was filming at Bonanza Creek Ranch. While rehearsing a scene in a church, a gun held by Alec Baldwin went off and killed Hutchins. Director Joel Souza was also hospitalized.
On the morning of Thursday, January 19, months after the police and FBI investigation concluded, the Santa Fe DA announced that they will seek criminal charges against the “30 Rock” actor and the “Rust” shield.
Hayla Hutchins’ Family Responds To Alec Baldwin & ‘Rust’ Armorer Facing Involuntary Manslaughter Charges
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On Thursday morning, the Santa Fe DA charged both Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins. First assistant director Dave Halls pleaded guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor appointed to the case, said in a statement, “If any 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,” Reeb continued. “The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for security on the set of the movie ‘Rust’. In New Mexico, there is no room for a film set that does not take seriously our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety.”
First assistant director Dave Halls pleaded guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon. It is possible that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed could face a maximum of eighteen months in prison if convicted.
Halyna Hutchins Family Says ‘No One Is Above The Law’
JUST IN: Halyna Hutchins’ family responds to the charges filed against Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s shield: “It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law.” https://t.co/vnSH060e7W pic.twitter.com/oeRBDAPhIW
— ABC News (@ABC) January 19, 2023
Hutchins’ family released a brief statement Thursday morning just about an hour after the news broke.
“We would like to thank the Santa Fe sheriff and district attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that a charge of involuntary manslaughter is warranted for the murder of Halyna Hutchins with a conscious disregard for human life,” the statement began.
It continued, “Our independent investigation also supports that the charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law.”
Alec Baldwin’s Lawyer Says Verdict ‘Distorted’ Halyna Hutchins’ Death
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In his own statement, Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, wrote, “This verdict distorts the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and represents a horrific miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there were live rounds in the gun — or anywhere else on the film set.”
“He relied on the professionals he worked with, who assured him the weapon had no live ammunition,” Nikas continued. “We will fight these charges, and we will win.”
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As The Blast previously reported, Gutierrez-Reed’s shield has also been vocal about his disbelief in the police investigation. After the Santa Fe police department decided not to do DNA testing on live rounds found on set, he criticized “serious problems” in their investigation.
“The main question in this case from the beginning is where did the live rounds that ended up on the Rust set come from?” Gutierrez-Reed said in a statement. “As can be seen from the attached email, the Sheriff’s office made a conscious decision not to pursue this question at all by refusing to have the FBI test any of the rounds for fingerprints or DNA.”
He later said that since law enforcement officials knew “for sure” there was a live round on the set, “It is inconceivable that the Sheriff would not find answers to this basic question and it creates serious problems with the entire investigation.”
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Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, Jason Bowles, released a statement, saying, “Hannah is, and always has been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But he didn’t commit an involuntary manslaughter.”
“These allegations are the result of a deeply flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts,” Bowles added. “We intend to reveal the full truth and believe Hannah will be acquitted by a jury.”
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Alec Baldwin has also expressed disbelief at the police investigation, which was released in a 551-page report last year.
On December 10, 2021, Alec sent a text message to Matt Hutchins, the husband of the late Halyna Hutchins. “It’s important for you to remember: The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office may lack the skills and will to properly investigate the sabotage angle,” he wrote. “I’m told their agenda is to write it off as an accident and throw it into civil court.”
Matthew Hutchins filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February but it was settled in October. Matt became an executive producer of the film as part of the settlement. It was supposed to resume filming this month in January, but no details have been announced at this time.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
