On January 31, 2023, actor Alec Baldwin and “Rust” shield Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were each officially charged in the death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the set of the movie Western in October 2021. The Santa Fe police department’s investigation into her death was not completed until the following year, and the Santa Fe District Attorney did not announce charges until January 19.
In addition to the manslaughter charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed, first assistant director Dave Halls pleaded guilty to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Manslaughter Charges Officially Filed Against Alec Baldwin & ‘Rust’ Armorer In Halyna Hutchins Death
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On January 19, 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 have live 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.”
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On January 30, First Judicial DA spokeswoman Mary Carmack-Altwies issued a separate statement, saying, “The District Attorney and the special prosecutor are fully focused on getting justice for Halyna Hutchins.”
Heather Brewer added, “The evidence and the facts speak for themselves,” and noted that there will be no press conference or interview at the time of the filing in the New Mexico court on Tuesday, January 31.
Alec Baldwin & Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Could Face Years Behind Bars
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Both actor and producer Alec Baldwin and “Rust” actress Hannah Gutierrez-Reed face two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins.
Under New Mexico law, the first charge amounts to a fourth-degree felony, punishable by a maximum sentence of eighteen months in prison and a five thousand dollar fine.
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The second charge is officially labeled as manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act. This is also a fourth degree felony which can also result in a maximum sentence of eighteen months in prison and a five thousand dollar fine.
However, this second charge carries an additional firearms enhancement, which could carry a mandatory five-year prison sentence if convicted. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were both charged “in the alternative,” meaning that the jury could only convict on one of the two charges.
According to the New York Post, neither Baldwin nor Gutierrez-Reed were required to appear in court on Tuesday and neither will be arrested. However, they have to appear in court, either in person or via video call, within fifteen days of the charges being formally filed.
Attorneys For Baldwin & Gutierrez Reed ‘Will Fight These Charges’
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Luke Nikas, an attorney for Alec Baldwin, released a statement, saying, “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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The attorney for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Jason Bowles, also 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.”
Baldwin Finds His Defense In Unlikely Places
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On an episode of “The View” the day after the charges were announced, Joy Behar expressed her thoughts on the charges facing Alec Baldwin, questioning why he was the only producer facing criminal charges.
“There are four more producers in the show who have not been charged in the film. why? That’s one question I have,” Behar said. “He’s the producer of the story credit, so he has creative involvement, it’s not somebody’s job to check the gun. That’s somebody else’s job.”
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Keep in mind that SAG-AFTRA agrees. The association also released a statement following the charges, writing, “The death of Halyna Hutchins is a tragedy, and all the more so because of its preventable nature. It was not a dereliction of duty or a criminal act on the part of any of the perpetrators.”
The statement went on to say, “The guidelines do not make it the perpetrator’s responsibility to check any firearms. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts in firearms or experienced in their use.”
Santa Fe DA Says Baldwin Shouldn’t Have Pointed Gun At Anyone
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In court filings, provided by Deadline, the clause’s statement likely places blame on Baldwin’s shoulders for not checking the gun: “the first rule of gun safety is never point a gun at someone you don’t intend to shoot.”
The filing states that Baldwin also failed to undergo “required firearms training before filming began,” even though “after [Gutierrez-Reed] asking for more practice.”
“Reckless deviations from known standards and practices and protocols directly led to the fatal shooting,” the statement said. “Baldwin acted with willful disregard for the safety of others and in a manner that endangered others.”
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While many have noted that Baldwin was the creative producer on the Western film, the court filing puts the blame on the actor for hiring Gutierrez-Reed as the main shield.
In a statement of probable cause, Robert Shilling, a special investigator for the district attorney’s office, wrote, “As a producer of gun-heavy films, the evidence shows that Baldwin permitted, by act or omission, the hiring of inexperienced and unqualified employees. [Gutierrez-Reed] for this production, failed to reduce or create more precautions to protect [Gutierrez-Reed’s] inexperienced, or fail to demand minimum safety standards, protocols and requirements on set.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
