January 1, What We Know So Far About Alec Baldwin’s Manslaughter Charges

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Alec Baldwin is facing a five-year prison sentence after a New Mexico prosecutor declared that involuntary manslaughter charges will be brought against him for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust.

If anyone ‘had done their job’ Halyna Hutchins would still be alive

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies issued a statement announcing that Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer who was in charge of on-set weapons, will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter — involuntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act, which includes a firearms enhancement.

“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice,” Carmack-Altwies said.

David Halls, the film’s assistant director, signed a plea agreement for negligent use of a deadly weapon, prosecutors said. Halls had previously admitted that he didn’t properly check the Colt revolver he handed to Baldwin. He faces a suspended sentence and six months of probation.

On Oct. 21, 2021, Baldwin pointed a pistol at Hutchins during the setup for a scene at a ranch in Santa Fe County. Hutchins was fatally shot, and director Joel Souza was injured.

“If any one 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,” said special prosecutor Andrea Reeb. “The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the Rust film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”

One of Baldwin’s charges carries a mandatory five-year sentence

Under New Mexico law, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony, with a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

But the second charge includes an added mandatory penalty because a firearm was involved, making the crime punishable by a mandatory five-year sentence, prosecutors said.

Baldwin’s attorney calls the charges ‘a terrible miscarriage of justice’

“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,” said Luke Nikas, Baldwin’s attorney, in a statement.

“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”

The victim’s family supports the charges

Hutchins’ family applauded the DA’s announcement in a statement.

“We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life,” the family said.

“Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law. We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”

Prosecutors will formally file charges by the end of the month

New Mexico prosecutors will formally file charges with the state’s First Judicial District Court before the end of the month.

After charges are filed, a preliminary hearing will likely occur within 60 days, Carmack-Altwies said. Ultimately, it will be up to a jury to find Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed not guilty, or convict them of one charge or the other.

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Source: NBC News