Here is What We Know So far
Alec Baldwin was drawing an antique revolver on Oct. 21, 2021 for a close-up angle of the set. RustA western movie was being shot in Santa Fe (New Mexico) when the unthinkable happened. The gun went off killing Halyna Hutchins, the film’s cinematographer and injuring Joel Souza, its director.
Today, more than a year later, Santa Fe’s District Attorney’s office announced that two people were charged with involuntary killing: Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed (the film’s armorer), who loaded the gun. Here’s the latest information.
1
Baldwin is being charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter
Mary Carmack Altwies, Santa Fe District Attorney, stated that charges against Baldwin & Gutierrez-Reed would be filed before the end of the month. Each person will be charged with involuntary murder, but each can only be convicted for one of the two counts, involuntary and lawful manslaughter.
According to the statement David Halls, the film’s assistant director, has agreed to plead guilty for the negligent use a deadly weapon.
2
“You shouldn’t point a gun at someone you don’t want to shoot,” says the DA.
Prosecutors claim that Baldwin was required to check the ammunition and gun before he could point it at anyone. Mary Carmack-Altwies (district attorney for Santa Fe County), stated in an interview that “you shouldn’t point a gun towards someone you aren’t willing to shoot.” The New York Times. “This is basic safety standard.”
3
One of the charges carries a mandatory five-year prison term
Involuntary manslaughter in New Mexico is a fourth-degree felony, with a maximum sentence that can be served of 18 months imprisonment. However, the mandatory five year sentence is for the second offense with firearms enhancement. Lisa Torraco (Halls’ attorney) says that the plea agreement includes a suspended sentence as well as six months probation.
4
Baldwin’s Attorney Reaffirms That “We Will Win”
Luke Nikas Baldwin’s lawyer stands behind his client’s innocence and reiterates that Baldwin didn’t know there were live rounds in the gun. He said that Baldwin relied on the professionals who had helped him to verify that the gun didn’t have live rounds. “We will defend these charges and we will win,” he said.
5
The DA is “Treating everyone the same”
“In spite of being an A-list actor we’re treating everybody the same,” Carmack -Altwies stated in an interview to The Wall Street Journal. “We are charging where we see that the law has been violated and not taking any other factors into consideration.”
6
Halyna HUTCHINS Would Be Alive If Anybody “Had Do Their Job”
“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,” added Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor assigned to the case.
7
The Family of the Victim Supports the Charges
Halyna’s family supports the filing of charges. Brian Panish, a family lawyer, stated that the charges are a comfort and that no one in New Mexico is above the law.