In a sudden turn of events, Alec Baldwin was slapped with revived charges of involuntary manslaughter on Friday in connection to the accidental shooting that led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” movie set. This charge marks a significant development, bringing back the focus on Baldwin’s role in the October 21, 2021, incident which took place near Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico.
The charges were reinstated following a grand jury indictment, which came to light after new independent forensic analysis corroborated earlier FBI findings. Experts concurred that the revolver, a reproduction long Colt .45, would have required the trigger to be pulled to discharge the fatal round that claimed Hutchins’ life. Amidst the resurgence of legal troubles for Baldwin, his defense attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, expressed their client’s readiness to contest the charges in court, stating, “We look forward to our day in court.”
Baldwin, known for his Emmy-winning portrayal in the TV comedy “30 Rock,” has persistently denied that he pulled the trigger. The incident also inadvertently injured the movie’s director, Joel Souza, who was struck by the same bullet that killed Hutchins. A critical aspect of the case stems from the assertions by the assistant director, David Halls, who declared the firearm “cold,” – an industry jargon indicating the absence of live or even blank rounds – at the time he handed it to Baldwin.
Previously, the prosecution had dropped Baldwin’s charges under the premise that the weapon’s hammer might have been altered, allowing it to fire without a trigger pull. However, the new indictment introduced by the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe presents a dual-pronged approach to involuntary manslaughter: one, for causing a death by “negligent use of a firearm,” and two, for acting “without due caution or circumspection.”
Should the case advance to trial, it would fall upon the jury to determine Baldwin’s culpability based on either one of the legal definitions of involuntary manslaughter. In New Mexico, a fourth-degree felony, involuntary manslaughter carries a potential penalty of up to 18 months in prison.
It is worth noting that this isn’t the first time Baldwin has faced these charges. A similar accusation was leveled against him in January by way of a criminal complaint. Nonetheless, those were subsequently dismissed in April. The grand jury’s indictment circumvents the need for an evidentiary hearing which would otherwise be essential to establish probable cause for a trial.
Portending further legal wrangling, the film’s chief armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, who was in charge of the gun before Halls, is also charged with involuntary manslaughter and is poised for a 2024 trial. Meanwhile, Halls has consented to a plea agreement over the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
The pursuit of truth and justice is echoed by the attorney Gloria Allred, who represents Hutchins’ bereaved parents, Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych. “Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed,” she remarked. The family’s quest for clarity extends to the civil lawsuit and the expectation of accountability within the criminal justice system, according to Allred’s statement.
As the legal proceedings reemerge, the film world is keenly observing the reverberations of this tragic case, not only for its impact on the parties directly involved but also for the broader implications it may hold for safety protocols and responsibilities on movie sets across the industry. With the fresh indictment, Baldwin’s connection to this tragic chapter in Hollywood history seems far from closed, and the coming months are likely to unfold new layers in the search for truth and accountability.
