Alec Baldwin to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in ‘Rust’ film shooting

Alec Baldwin and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reid to face charges with two bills of manslaughter for 2021 fatal shooting on New Mexico set of film Rust, officials said Thursday.

Santa Fe First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Oltwis and special Attorney Andrea Rib announced them decision Thursday morning in written statement distributed with media.

First Mate director David Halls already agreed to plead guilty for charge of careless use of a deadly weapon.

“After careful review of evidence and laws of state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is enough evidence to file criminal accusations against Alec Baldwin and others of The Rust crew, Carmack-Oltvis said. in statement. “My watch doesn’t have one above the law and everyone deserves justice.”

In a statement, Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, wrote: “This is decision distorts the tragic image of Galina Hutchins. death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr Baldwin didn’t have reason believe that was live bullet in in gun — or anywhere on in movie set. He relied on professionals with who did he work who assured him of gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these accusations and we will win.”

Possible prison phrases on accusations

Carmack-Oltvis office said in October, she will conduct a “thorough review of in information and evidence to make a thoughtful, timely decision about whether to file charges” after a year-long investigation by the sheriff on-set shooting.

42-year-old Galina Hutchins worked as an operator. on western when she was shot by the film’s director. starBaldwin, during an accident while training using revolver Colt .45 on set. Directed by Joel Souza also injured in shooting.

No charges will be brought in shooting of Souza, District Attorney office said.

Carmack-Oltvis and Reeb will formally file charges before the end of month in which each defendant will be issued a summons for them first court appearance, which can be made virtually or which can be waived, prosecutors said. During the preliminary hearing, the judge decides whether probable cause to move forward with trial. Preliminary hearings are usually scheduled within 60 days. of filed a criminal case, according to the District Attorney office.

If the case goes to trial, the jury will have to decide under which definition of Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reid are guilty of manslaughter. For first think of manslaughter, prosecutors should prove “basic negligence”, while second earl, manslaughter in commission of lawful action, “proof is required that there was more than mere carelessness in a death”, the district attorney said. office said.

Both counts are felonies in the fourth degree, punishable by up up to 18 months in jailhowever, improving firearms on in second accusation may result in mandatory punishment of five years in prison, prosecutors said.

‘Coldly gun’

Souza reportedly told investigators that Baldwin was in bench in in the area the church practices its cross, facing in camera and the crew and pointing the revolver at camera Lens when the shooting occurred, according to the search warrant.

Halls handed gun Baldwin, proclaiming “cold gun”to let the crew know a gun with No live rounds was used, according to a written application for a search warrant.

Hutchins was killed live round inside the gun, the authorities said.

Questions surrounded how live ammunition made it’s on set and in support gun and is it right safety crew members took precautions.

Halls reportedly told investigators that he did not know there were some live rounds in in gun when he gave it to Baldwin, according to the search warrant application.

Advocate for Gunsmith “Rust” Gutierrez-Reid, who was in charge of weapons and ammunition on in set previously said his client had no idea where live rounds came and was not in the church where the rehearsal took place place.

Her lawyer, Jason Bowles, claimed that Gutierrez-Reid was not called to the church to inspect the weapon before it was brought. out and that Baldwin did not accept her offer to coach him on cross-drawing, a “dangerous” method of carrying a gun that started in Old West.

“If any one of these three people “Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reid or David Halls did their job, Halina Hutchins would be alive today. It’s so easy,” Reeb said. in statement. “The evidence is clear shows sample of criminal ignore for safety on Film “Rust” set. There’s no place in New Mexico for film sets that do not undertake the obligation of our state gun safety and public safety seriously.”

Longtime Hollywood gunsmith Tell Reed, father of Gutierrez-Reed reportedly told investigators that the ammunition had once in his possession “May match ammunition found on in set of Rust,” the sworn letter says. for search warrant executed last year.

A warrant authorized a search of Albuquerque props house, PDQ Arm and Prop LLC, owned by Seth Kenny. Kenny reportedly told detectives that he had been hired to deliver the Rust. with guns, as well as dummies rounds and forms, according to the written application for a search warrant.

Reid told investigators that he worked with Kenny on a set weeks before the Rust shooting happened, and that Kenny allegedly took “ammunition” containing live rounds back with him in New Mexico, according to the affidavit.

Kenny denies giving live ammunition for set.

“It’s unbelievable that they come from PDQ or from me personally,” Kenny told ABC News days after the shooting. “When we send a mannequin rounds out they are individually rattle tested before shipping out.”

Baldwin says allegations are ‘highly unlikely’

Baldwin had previously said he did not believe that face Any criminal accusations in crash.

“I was told people who are in in know, in terms of even within the state, it is unlikely that I will be charged with nothing criminal,” he told George Stephanopoulos, a correspondent for ABC News. in interview a few weeks after the shooting.

District Attorney announcement comes after family of Hutchins reached an agreement in it’s illegal death lawsuit against film producers, including Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC, in October.

Carmack Altweiss office said the settlement would have “no consequences” on her decision bring charges.

The incident has also led to several lawsuits, including one sued Baldwin for negligence of members of his crew.

Filming of “Rust” is scheduled to resume in January with Everybody of protagonists and Souza back as director. It is not yet clear whether the upcoming payments will affect production.