Alec Baldwin, the actor who fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal for the western film “Rust” in 2021, was charged with involuntary manslaughter – a crime similar to “manslaughter” under Brazilian law -, prosecutors said on Thursday (19).
Baldwin claimed he was unaware that the gun he fired on set contained a real bullet.
Baldwin and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said on Thursday morning they were ready to announce whether criminal charges would be filed over the fatal shooting of a female director of photography in 2021 that involved actor Alec Baldwin and other members of the film’s production.
Mary Carmack-Altwies, district attorney for New Mexico’s 1st judicial district, and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb released their decision in a written statement, according to Carmack-Altwies’ office.
Baldwin’s shooting of two members of the film crew during a rehearsal for the western film “Rust” in New Mexico in October 2021 resulted in a whirlwind of accusations and allegations of negligence by those involved.
Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was hit and killed by a live round fired from a propelled gun held by Baldwin, who claims he did not pull the gun’s trigger. Director Joel Souza was also injured.
In the summary of the investigation into Hutchins’ death – which was formally signed off by New Mexico’s Chief Medical Investigator – the cause of death is listed as “gunshot wound to the chest” and the manner of death is listed as “accident.”
“Review of available law enforcement reports did not show any convincing demonstration that the firearm was intentionally loaded with live ammunition on set. Based on all available information, including the absence of obvious intent to cause harm or death, the manner of death is best classified as an accident,” the report concluded.
An FBI forensic report said the gun could not be fired during the FBI’s test of its normal functioning without pulling the trigger while the gun was cocked.
The report also noted that the gun eventually malfunctioned during testing after internal parts fractured, which caused the gun to fire in the cocked position without pulling the trigger.
In an interview with CNN in August, Baldwin blamed the tragedy on Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who served as gunsmith and assistant props on the film, and assistant director Dave Halls, who handed him the weapon.
In November, Baldwin filed a lawsuit against the two and other individuals associated with the film, according to a complaint obtained by CNN.
Through their respective attorneys, Gutierrez Reed and Halls asserted that they were not at fault and accused Baldwin of shifting blame to others.
Gutierrez Reed also sued the film’s weapons and ammunition supplier and its founder – who both deny wrongdoing – and alleged that a cache of fake ammunition was sold with real bullets mixed in.
In October, the Hutchins family reached an undisclosed settlement in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against Baldwin and others involved in the film’s production.
Matthew Hutchins, widower of Halyna Hutchins, described her death as a “horrible accident” in a statement at the time of the settlement.
Production on “Rust” was supposed to resume this month, with Matthew Hutchins joining as the film’s executive producer as part of the deal.
* Chloe Melas, Megan Thomas, Kevin Flower and Josh Campbell of CNN contributed to this story
Source: CNN Brasil
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