It's been a little over a year since tragedy struck the set of Rust, an upcoming Western movie starring Alec Baldwin as the lead, when a fatal shooting occurred that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Now, it appears that charges are being made in the case.

First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has announced that the Oscar-nominated actor, Baldwin, who was holding the pistol when it went off, as well as the film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each be facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Meanwhile, the first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

In America, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is normally punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a $5,000 USD fine (approx. $7,155 AUD). But with a ‘firearm enhancement’ added to the charge, it could very well become a mandatory sentence of five years in jail.

If like us, you’d never heard of a firearm enhancement charge, it’s because it appears to be unique to the American legal system. According to Restore Justice, judges are required to add 15, 20, or 25 years to life to the prison sentences of defendants convicted of certain felonies if the defendant was found to have possessed or discharged a firearm during the crime.

This incident occurred when Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol for a scene inside a church at Bonanza Creek Ranch, with the gun going off and killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza. No charges have been filed in relation to the latter.

Representatives of the three members facing charges have indicated their firm belief that their clients should be exonerated of wrong-doing in the case.

'This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,' said Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas. 'We will fight these charges, and we will win.'

An attorney for Gutierrez-Reed also commented.

'Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter,' said lawyer Jason Bowles. 'These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury.'

A picture of the now deceased Halyna Hutchins on the left, and Baldwin, right, on the set of Rust. Credit: 7News

The 42-year-old Hutchin's family released a statement showing both support for the decision from prosecutors and a plea for justice.

'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,' said their attorney, Brian Panish.

'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.'

According to the BBC, ‘there is no definitive set of regulations on the use of firearms across the film industry.’

It goes on to say that perhaps the closest to a list of suggested rules is that published by the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee.

Its advice states:

Blanks can kill. Treat all firearms as though they are loaded
Refrain from pointing a firearm at yourself or anyone else
Never place your finger on the trigger unless you're ready to shoot
Anyone involved in using a firearm must be thoroughly briefed at an on-set safety meeting
Only a qualified person should load a firearm
Protective shields, as well as eye and hearing protection, should be used by anyone in close proximity of the line of fire
Any actor who is required to stand near the line of fire should be allowed to witness the loading of the firearms

But the committee points out its guidelines are only suggestions and ‘not binding laws or regulations’.

Key Takeaways

• Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust.
• Baldwin, the film’s armorer and the first assistant director will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
• The family of the deceased cinematographer supports the prosecutor’s decision to seek criminal charges.
• Baldwin previously gave his first public account of the fatal shooting and claimed that he did not pull the trigger.

An agreement has been made recently between Alec Baldwin's production team and Halyna Hutchins' husband, Matthew, which could possibly suspend the filming of Rust set to take place in January with Director Joel Souza at the helm.

While Grand Jury proceedings prepare to begin, and details of the case are not to be taken lightly, our hearts here at the Senior Discount Club go out to the surviving friends and family of Halyna Hutchin, hoping that justice, whatever that turns out to be, may be served in her honour.

Charges will be formally filed by the end of the month and a preliminary hearing is likely to occur 60 days later - we’ll keep you updated as the story develops.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

Meh. He's already got production waiting for his next movie.

 

[Vet543]

What a load of BS, Tinseltown gone made. The person being charged should be the person who handed him a loaded gun, it's their job to make sure that all the props used in productions are safe to handle, not that of the actors.

This is my belief too ... Who put the live ammo in the gun? There is the culprit or murderer.
I think I heard last night Friday 20th Jan, that Alec Baldwin stated that HE DID NOT PULL THE TRIGGER.
If that is true then, How could he be accussed of Manslaughter?

 

[Tipsy]

It's been a little over a year since tragedy struck the set of Rust, an upcoming Western movie starring Alec Baldwin as the lead, when a fatal shooting occurred that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Now, it appears that charges are being made in the case.

First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has announced that the Oscar-nominated actor, Baldwin, who was holding the pistol when it went off, as well as the film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each be facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Meanwhile, the first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

In America, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is normally punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a $5,000 USD fine (approx. $7,155 AUD). But with a ‘firearm enhancement’ added to the charge, it could very well become a mandatory sentence of five years in jail.

If like us, you’d never heard of a firearm enhancement charge, it’s because it appears to be unique to the American legal system. According to Restore Justice, judges are required to add 15, 20, or 25 years to life to the prison sentences of defendants convicted of certain felonies if the defendant was found to have possessed or discharged a firearm during the crime.

This incident occurred when Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol for a scene inside a church at Bonanza Creek Ranch, with the gun going off and killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza. No charges have been filed in relation to the latter.

Representatives of the three members facing charges have indicated their firm belief that their clients should be exonerated of wrong-doing in the case.

'This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,' said Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas. 'We will fight these charges, and we will win.'

An attorney for Gutierrez-Reed also commented.

'Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter,' said lawyer Jason Bowles. 'These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury.'

View attachment 11954

A picture of the now deceased Halyna Hutchins on the left, and Baldwin, right, on the set of Rust. Credit: 7News

The 42-year-old Hutchin's family released a statement showing both support for the decision from prosecutors and a plea for justice.

'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,' said their attorney, Brian Panish.

'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.'

According to the BBC, ‘there is no definitive set of regulations on the use of firearms across the film industry.’

It goes on to say that perhaps the closest to a list of suggested rules is that published by the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee.

Its advice states:

Blanks can kill. Treat all firearms as though they are loaded
Refrain from pointing a firearm at yourself or anyone else
Never place your finger on the trigger unless you're ready to shoot
Anyone involved in using a firearm must be thoroughly briefed at an on-set safety meeting
Only a qualified person should load a firearm
Protective shields, as well as eye and hearing protection, should be used by anyone in close proximity of the line of fire
Any actor who is required to stand near the line of fire should be allowed to witness the loading of the firearms

But the committee points out its guidelines are only suggestions and ‘not binding laws or regulations’.

Key Takeaways

• Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust.
• Baldwin, the film’s armorer and the first assistant director will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
• The family of the deceased cinematographer supports the prosecutor’s decision to seek criminal charges.
• Baldwin previously gave his first public account of the fatal shooting and claimed that he did not pull the trigger.

An agreement has been made recently between Alec Baldwin's production team and Halyna Hutchins' husband, Matthew, which could possibly suspend the filming of Rust set to take place in January with Director Joel Souza at the helm.

While Grand Jury proceedings prepare to begin, and details of the case are not to be taken lightly, our hearts here at the Senior Discount Club go out to the surviving friends and family of Halyna Hutchin, hoping that justice, whatever that turns out to be, may be served in her honour.

Charges will be formally filed by the end of the month and a preliminary hearing is likely to occur 60 days later - we’ll keep you updated as the story develops.

And about time, because the arrogant prick is guilty

 

[Riorita]

It's been a little over a year since tragedy struck the set of Rust, an upcoming Western movie starring Alec Baldwin as the lead, when a fatal shooting occurred that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Now, it appears that charges are being made in the case.

First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has announced that the Oscar-nominated actor, Baldwin, who was holding the pistol when it went off, as well as the film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each be facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Meanwhile, the first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

In America, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is normally punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a $5,000 USD fine (approx. $7,155 AUD). But with a ‘firearm enhancement’ added to the charge, it could very well become a mandatory sentence of five years in jail.

If like us, you’d never heard of a firearm enhancement charge, it’s because it appears to be unique to the American legal system. According to Restore Justice, judges are required to add 15, 20, or 25 years to life to the prison sentences of defendants convicted of certain felonies if the defendant was found to have possessed or discharged a firearm during the crime.

This incident occurred when Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol for a scene inside a church at Bonanza Creek Ranch, with the gun going off and killing Hutchins and wounding the director, Joel Souza. No charges have been filed in relation to the latter.

Representatives of the three members facing charges have indicated their firm belief that their clients should be exonerated of wrong-doing in the case.

'This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,' said Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas. 'We will fight these charges, and we will win.'

An attorney for Gutierrez-Reed also commented.

'Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter,' said lawyer Jason Bowles. 'These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury.'

View attachment 11954

A picture of the now deceased Halyna Hutchins on the left, and Baldwin, right, on the set of Rust. Credit: 7News

The 42-year-old Hutchin's family released a statement showing both support for the decision from prosecutors and a plea for justice.

'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,' said their attorney, Brian Panish.

'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.'

According to the BBC, ‘there is no definitive set of regulations on the use of firearms across the film industry.’

It goes on to say that perhaps the closest to a list of suggested rules is that published by the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee.

Its advice states:

Blanks can kill. Treat all firearms as though they are loaded
Refrain from pointing a firearm at yourself or anyone else
Never place your finger on the trigger unless you're ready to shoot
Anyone involved in using a firearm must be thoroughly briefed at an on-set safety meeting
Only a qualified person should load a firearm
Protective shields, as well as eye and hearing protection, should be used by anyone in close proximity of the line of fire
Any actor who is required to stand near the line of fire should be allowed to witness the loading of the firearms

But the committee points out its guidelines are only suggestions and ‘not binding laws or regulations’.

Key Takeaways

• Oscar-nominated actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust.
• Baldwin, the film’s armorer and the first assistant director will each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
• The family of the deceased cinematographer supports the prosecutor’s decision to seek criminal charges.
• Baldwin previously gave his first public account of the fatal shooting and claimed that he did not pull the trigger.

An agreement has been made recently between Alec Baldwin's production team and Halyna Hutchins' husband, Matthew, which could possibly suspend the filming of Rust set to take place in January with Director Joel Souza at the helm.

While Grand Jury proceedings prepare to begin, and details of the case are not to be taken lightly, our hearts here at the Senior Discount Club go out to the surviving friends and family of Halyna Hutchin, hoping that justice, whatever that turns out to be, may be served in her honour.

Charges will be formally filed by the end of the month and a preliminary hearing is likely to occur 60 days later - we’ll keep you updated as the story develops.

There is more to this than meets the eye....person who loaded Blanks?? Then who was next to handle gun..it has to go through each person,....before Alex Baldwin was given gun.....investigation not thorough enough .

 

[Da Freddo]

The young girl who passed the pistol to Alec was not competent to hold the position of Armourer.
She failed miserably her duty to doubly ensure the said firearm was safe.
I have been reliably informed that prop guns are incapable of discharge,
So the question must be asked where did this firearm appear from and whose is it that is
capable of discharge on a movie set?
Where was the Armourer?
The owner of said firearm should be charged.

 

[Lizzylou]

I think it is sad that a woman has lost her life and those around at the time regardless of who had what, who gave who the gun etc are struggling to deal with the death of a young woman. Her family are in morning and want answers, if they are not getting any maybe agreeing to have Alex Baldwin and Hannah charged maybe the only way to actually find out the truth. There are so many questions that don't seem to have been answered. Why wasn't the gun double checked, who gave Baldwin the gun, why did he point it at the young woman who died? etc.. I would hope that once again this proves that the gun laws in America needs to be changed drastically, but giving the climate I doubt very much that anything will change.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

This is my belief too ... Who put the live ammo in the gun? There is the culprit or murderer.
I think I heard last night Friday 20th Jan, that Alec Baldwin stated that HE DID NOT PULL THE TRIGGER.
If that is true then, How could he be accussed of Manslaughter?

 

[Tipsy]

yea right it went off all by itself while he was holding it, he will do and say anything to try and get away with it... The bottom is that he was the last one holding the weapon and as such his responsibility for it.... Did he check it over ????

 

[Monty M]

I cannot understand how Baldwin could be held responsible for the accident. When any of us works along side other team members, in any industry, it is reasonable and only right that each person is expected to practice workplace safety e.g. it is not a worker's place to check scaffolding has been installed correctly before use, that lies squarely at the feet of those who installed it. It was not Baldwin's responsibility to check the gun it was the person in charge of the arms. Also, what was live ammunition doing on set in the first place? If Baldwin is convicted and does time over this incident then it is simply further proof that America's justice system is seriously flawed.

 

[Tipsy]

I cannot understand how Baldwin could be held responsible for the accident. When any of us works along side other team members, in any industry, it is reasonable and only right that each person is expected to practice workplace safety e.g. it is not a worker's place to check scaffolding has been installed correctly before use, that lies squarely at the feet of those who installed it. It was not Baldwin's responsibility to check the gun it was the person in charge of the arms. Also, what was live ammunition doing on set in the first place? If Baldwin is convicted and does time over this incident then it is simply further proof that America's justice system is seriously flawed.

the last person to handle the weapon is the responsible person to do the final checks.... it is a simple firearm rule....

 

[Kelmanj]

This is so wrong, and the question that needs to be answered is who passed him a loaded gun?

They know who did it was the assistant director and it was not his job it was the prop master's job.

 

[Kelmanj]

I cannot understand how Baldwin could be held responsible for the accident. When any of us works along side other team members, in any industry, it is reasonable and only right that each person is expected to practice workplace safety e.g. it is not a worker's place to check scaffolding has been installed correctly before use, that lies squarely at the feet of those who installed it. It was not Baldwin's responsibility to check the gun it was the person in charge of the arms. Also, what was live ammunition doing on set in the first place? If Baldwin is convicted and does time over this incident then it is simply further proof that America's justice system is seriously flawed.

 

[Kelmanj]

Absolutely I think the American system of justice is indeed flawed.