Alec Baldwin attends a press conference at United Nations headquarters on September 21, 2015. The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a set in New Mexico on year 2021.
Seth Wenig/AP
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Seth Wenig/AP
Alec Baldwin attends a press conference at United Nations headquarters on September 21, 2015. The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a set in New Mexico on year 2021.
Seth Wenig/AP
SANTA FE, NM — Actor Alec Baldwin and a firearms expert have been formally charged with manslaughter in the cameraman shooting death on a movie set in New Mexico, according to court documents filed by prosecutors Tuesday.
Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies filed charges against Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reedweapons supervisor on the set of “Rust” Western.
The filing comes nearly two weeks after she first announced that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed would be prosecuted for what authorities describe as a form of crime that disregards safety. In recent weeks, Carmack-Altwies has outlined two series of involuntary manslaughter charges related to the shooting.
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed asserted their innocence and vowed to fight the charges.
Luke Nikas, Baldwin’s attorney, declined to comment Tuesday and referred to his previous statement about the case in which he called the charges “a terrible handling of justice” that he and His client will fight and win.
“Mr Baldwin has no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on set,” the statement said. “He relies on the professionals he has worked with.”
Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney said they would issue a statement later.
Halyna Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal on a ranch in the suburbs of Santa Fe on October 21, 2021. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun fired, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza.
Prosecutors have said that Baldwin’s involvement as a producer and as a shooter influenced the decision to press charges.
The manslaughter charge against Baldwin includes alternative standards and sanctions. Manslaughter would be charged for reckless disregard of safety “without proper prudence and caution.”
Hutchins’ death led to new safety precautions in the film industry.
Carmack-Altwies told The Associated Press in a January 19 interview that the set was “actually running pretty fast and loose” and Baldwin should have known there had been previous fires and explosions on set and many who raised safety concerns.
She added that Baldwin was the one who pointed the gun and pulled the trigger.
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will receive subpoenas. Prosecutors will forgo the grand jury and rely on a judge to determine if there is enough evidence to move to trial. It may take up to 60 days for a decision to be made.
Involuntary manslaughter can involve a murder that occurs while the defendant is doing something lawful but dangerous and is acting negligently or recklessly. Special Counsel Andrea Reeb cited a type of “criminal disregard for safety” on the set of “Rust”.
Prosecutors also said they would release the terms of the plea agreement signed with assistant director David Halls, who oversaw safety on set. Participants in the rehearsal that were not filmed gave conflicting accounts of who gave the gun to Baldwin.
Halls has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon, they said.
Heather Brewer, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office, said in a statement Monday that prosecutors were “fully focused on ensuring justice for Halyna Hutchins” and “evidence and facts have been says it all.”
Baldwin, also a co-producer of “Rust,” described the murder as a tragic accident. The 64-year-old actor said he was told the gun was safe and sought to clear his mind by suing those involved in the handling and delivery of the loaded .45-caliber revolver.
In his lawsuit, Baldwin said that while doing the camera angles with Hutchins, he pointed the gun at her then stepped back and released the weapon’s hammer, which fired.
Defense attorney Jason Bowles, who represents Gutierrez-Reed, said the allegations were the result of a “flawed investigation” and “an incorrect understanding of the whole truth.”
The defendant may participate remotely in many of the initial court proceedings or seek an initial waiver.
The decision to impeach Baldwin marks an incredible turn of events for an A-list actor whose 40-year career includes his first blockbuster “The Hunt for Red October” and a starring role in the sitcom “30.” Rock”, as well as iconic appearances in Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” and a film adaptation of David Mamet’s “Glengary Glen Ross”. In recent years, Baldwin has been known for his impressions of former President Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.”
