Alec Baldwin Facing Shocking New Charges in Deadly On-Set Shooting
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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.'
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’.
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.
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’.
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.
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