Alec Baldwin Faces Involuntary Manslaughter Charges in 'Rust' Shooting Death

Actor Alec Baldwin now faces involuntary manslaughter charges for the accidental killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western film "Rust" in October 2021. The tragic incident occurred at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Baldwin was starring in and producing the low-budget movie. Special prosecutors consider that the 65-year-old actor should be indicted on the charge, which carries an 18-month prison sentence in New Mexico.

Why this matters: The incident raises important questions about the responsibility of actors, producers, and crew members in maintaining a safe environment on film sets, and the need for stricter safety protocols and oversight in the entertainment industry. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the film industry's approach to on-set safety and accountability.

The grand jury will determine whether probable cause exists for Baldwin to face criminal charges in a trial in Santa Fe. Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger of the prop gun, a Pietta pistol that was a replica of a vintage 1873 model, but firearms experts say he probably did. "After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the case," said special prosecutors Morrissey and Lewis.

Baldwin's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, responded, stating, "It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution." The film's armorer, 24-year-old Hannah Gutierrez Reed, is also facing felony involuntary manslaughter charges and has pleaded not guilty. Assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The prosecution alleges that Baldwin is responsible for firing the gun that killed Hutchins and for management failures in his role as a producer, while his defense argues that he was a creative producer and not in a supervisory role. In a recent development, a New Mexico judge rejected a request by Baldwin's attorneys to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by three "Rust" crew members. The lawsuit alleges that cost-cutting measures endangered the cast and crew and that Baldwin skipped his own safety training.

During a preliminary hearing, jurors were shown outtakes from the film, including videos of Baldwin using his pistol to point as he gave instructions to the crew. These videos are likely to be played again at Baldwin's manslaughter trial in July. Veteran armorer and state expert witness Bryan Carpenter testified that the behind-the-scenes videos showed numerous lapses in gun safety.

Carpenter faulted Gutierrez Reed for failing to intervene or take away a shotgun when a stuntman was seen walking around with it pointed up, failing to maintain muzzle discipline. He also testified that Gutierrez Reed should have slowed down the reloading process when Baldwin was rushing, stating, "Rushing with firearms and telling someone to rush with firearms is not normal nor accepted."

The defense argued that Gutierrez Reed was just starting out in the business and was not even in the union yet, making it difficult for her to correct an A-list actor like Baldwin. However, the prosecution alleged that Gutierrez Reed took on the responsibility for others' lives when she accepted the job as armorer and should have been prepared to ensure safety on set.

The tragic death of Halyna Hutchins has sparked a broader conversation about the need for stricter safety protocols and oversight in the entertainment industry. While the outcome of Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial remains to be seen, the incident raises important questions about the responsibility of actors, producers, and crew members in maintaining a safe environment on film sets.

Key Takeaways

• Alec Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges for Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of "Rust".
• If convicted, Baldwin could face an 18-month prison sentence in New Mexico.
• Baldwin denies pulling the trigger, but experts believe he likely did.
• The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, also faces felony involuntary manslaughter charges.
• The incident raises questions about on-set safety and accountability in the entertainment industry.