The film’s gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who handled the gun, is facing the same charge, Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in a statement.
On October 21, 2021, this shooting on a ranch in New Mexico had turned tragic when Alec Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins , 42, and injured the director, Joel Souza.
This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and had had a strong impact, triggering calls to ban firearms on the sets.
18 month to 5 years in prison if convicted
Rust,”,”text”:”After careful review of the evidence and the laws of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges once morest Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew,””>After careful review of the evidence and the laws of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges once morest Alec Baldwin and other members of the film crew of Rust,
and declared Mary Carmack-Altwies.
Under my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice
she added.
The prosecutor said the charges would be formally filed by the end of the month. If convicted, Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed risk up to 18 months in prison. But this sentence might be increased to up to five years in prison in the event of aggravated negligence.
Alec Baldwin, 64, always said he was assured his gun was harmless. Director’s assistant David Halls, who had given him the weapon, advising him that it was not dangerous, pleaded guilty to negligence in the use of a deadly weapon.
The star of the series 30 Rock also maintained that he had not pulled the trigger, an assertion doubted by specialists.
If any of these three – Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls – had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would still be alive today. It’s as simple as that
said prosecutor Andrea Reeb, in charge of the case.
The evidence shows Rust“,”text”:”a criminal disregard for security on the set of Rust”}}”>a criminal disregard for security on the set of Rust, she judged in the press release. On CNN, she then insisted on the amateurism of the production and the lightness of Mr. Baldwin on the set.
The actor did none of the things he was supposed to do to make sure he was safe or anyone around him was safe
said the prosecutor. Then he pointed the gun at Halyna Hutchins and pulled the trigger.
The Actors and Actresses Union blames the Armorer
An actor’s job is not to be an expert in firearms or weapons
retorted the influential Screen Actors Guild on Thursday, denouncing in a press release a decision misguided and misinformed
of the prosecutor.
According to the union, current industry charters place responsibility for shooting scenes on a skilled gunsmith
which must in particular inspect the firearm and cylinder before and following each shot
et check all firearms before each use.
The police investigation focused in particular on determining how live ammunition might have been found on the set, which is in theory strictly prohibited, precisely to avoid accidents.
Authorities have concluded that the shooting’s gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, put the ammunition in the gun used by Alec Baldwin, instead of a dummy bullet.
The armourer’s legal team, for its part, denounced a botched investigation and an inaccurate understanding of the facts
by the prosecution. We intend to bring the truth to light and believe that Hannah will be cleared of wrongdoing by a jury.
A miscarriage of justice, according to Alec Baldwin’s lawyer
Alec Baldwin’s lawyer reacted to his client’s indictment by denouncing a terrible miscarriage of justice
.
This decision misrepresents the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice, said Luke Nikas. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe that a live ammunition was in the gun, or anywhere else at the shooting location.
In August, the actor said he expected no one to be charged, telling CNN he had hired a private detective to investigate the case.
The tragedy gave rise to a flurry of civil lawsuits from several members of the team.
In October, Alec Baldwin announced that he had reached an agreement ending the civil lawsuits brought by Ms Hutchins’ family. The amount of this agreement was not disclosed. The resumption of filming Rust has been announced for 2023.
