19-01-23, 18:11
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#15
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re: Alec Baldwin & Rust Film Armourer Charged With Manslaughter
Alec Baldwin to be Charged With involuntary Manslaughter Over Rust Shooting
Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on a film set when he fired a prop gun.
BBC 19 JAN 2023
Mr Baldwin had been rehearsing a scene for the Western film Rust when the shooting happened at a ranch near Sante Fe, New Mexico in October 2021.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armourer, will also be charged.
Lawyers for both said they intended to fight the charges in court.
On Thursday, Santa Fe's District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced in a statement that charges would be filed by the end of the month.
"Actor and producer Alec Baldwin and armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter," the statement read. "I have determined that there is sufficient evidence."
"On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice," she said.
Both face up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 (£4,040) fine if convicted. They will be tried by a jury, prosecutors said.
Film director Joel Souza was also wounded in the shooting, but prosecutors said no charges would be filed in connection with that.
In a statement, Ms Hutchins' husband, Matthew, said he supported the filing of the charges. "It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law," he said.
Mr Baldwin's lawyer, Luke Nikas, called the decision to file charges "a terrible miscarriage of justice".
"Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun - or anywhere on the movie set," Mr Nikas said. "He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."
Ms Gutierrez-Reed's lawyer, meanwhile, said the announcement was the result of a "very flawed investigation and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts".
"Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident," Todd Bullion said. "But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter."
Halyna Hutchins
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