Actor Alec Baldwin and shield Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have been criminally charged in the death of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie “Rust.”
Both Baldwin and the “Rust” shield will face two counts of involuntary manslaughter, which will be formally filed later this month.
One charge is a fourth-degree felony that can result in a maximum of eighteen months in prison or a $5,000 fine. The second charge carries an additional firearms enhancement, which could carry a mandatory five-year prison sentence if either of them is found guilty.
SAG-AFTRA Releases Statement Condemning ‘False & Uninformed’ Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Against ‘Rust’ Actor Alec Baldwin
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On Thursday night, SAG-AFTRA blasted the Santa Fe DA’s decision to hold the “30 Rock” cast responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins, insisting that it’s the employer’s responsibility, not the player’s, to ensure gun safety on set.
Although the statement did not directly mention Baldwin’s name, the association began their lengthy message, 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, which was first reported by Deadline, continued:
“The prosecutor’s notion that an actor has a duty to ensure the functional and mechanical operation of a firearm on a production set is wrong and ill-informed. An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. Firearms are prepared for their use under the guidance of a number of professional experts who are directly responsible for the safe and accurate handling of firearms. In addition, employers are always responsible for providing a safe work environment at all times, including hiring and supervising the work of professionals trained in firearms.
“Industry standards for safety with firearms and the use of blanks are clearly laid out in Safety Bulletin 1, prepared by the Joint Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Commission. The guidelines require an experienced and qualified armorer to be responsible for all handling, use and storage of firearms on set. These duties include ‘checking the firearm and barrel before and after each firing sequence,’ and ‘checking all firearms before each use.’
“The guidelines do not make it the responsibility of the perpetrator 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. The industry leaves that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee its use and handling in every aspect. Anyone who produces firearms on set must be given training and guidance in their safe handling and use, but all activities with firearms on set must be under the close supervision and control of professional armorers and employers.”
Lawyers For Baldwin And Gutierrez-Reed Speak Out Against ‘Rust’ Allegations
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Alec Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, also 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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Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney, 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.”
Halyna Hutchins’ Family Feels ‘Charges Are Justified’
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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.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
