MOVIE NEWS – Alec Baldwin faces manslaughter charges in the shooting of cameraman Halyna Hutchins.

 

 

Actor Alec Baldwin and several members of the western film Rust’s cast and crew have been charged with the shooting death of cameraman Halyna Hutchins. Prosecutors in New Mexico have now confirmed that Baldwin and gun master Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have each been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter following the incident on the set of Rust. The cameraman, Halyna Hutchins, was tragically shot and killed when the actor fired a gun used as a prop during scene prep.

“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” said Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies in a statement.

“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”

It has now been revealed that Assistant Director David Halls has entered into a plea bargain. He will be charged with reckless use of a deadly weapon, with a suspended sentence and six months probation.

Halls handed Baldwin the gun on the set of Rust, and the actor was told that the firearm contained no ammunition. Further testing revealed five live rounds were discovered among the test ammunition. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be “charged in the alternative” with two counts of second-degree murder, meaning a jury will decide whether and to what extent they are guilty.

“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. It’s that simple,” Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor assigned to the case by the district attorney, said in a statement.

“The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”

The District Attorney’s Office will formally file the charges before the end of January, with a preliminary hearing scheduled 60 days after filing.

Source: El Mundo