Alec Baldwin, armorer charged with involuntary manslaughter

01 Feb 2023 09:54am

Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter over the accidental shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the low budget western "Rust," a prosecutor said on January 19, 2023. Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP.

WASHINGTON - Actor Alec Baldwin and his armorer have been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deadly shooting on the set of the film Rust that killed a cinematographer.

The Santa Fe District Attorney filed involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday against Baldwin and his weapons armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, alleging the actor had not been properly trained to handle the weapon that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, because he was distracted.

"The evidence clearly indicates that Baldwin recklessly ignored these rules, on multiple occasions, resulting in the fatal shooting," United Press International (UPI) quoted the 10-page statement of probable cause that was filed with the charges.

Hutchins was killed at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico on Oct 21, 2021, when the prop gun held by Baldwin discharged.

Tuesday's charging document outlined a number of acts or omissions of recklessness that lead to the shooting.

Those include not using a replica firearm for an unscheduled rehearsal, letting the armorer leave the set, not performing required safety checks, and not dealing with safety complaints on the set.

The assistant director of Rust, David Halls, handed the weapon to Baldwin before the shooting and is facing a single misdemeanor count of negligent use of a deadly weapon. After signing a plea deal, Halls is expected to serve a suspended sentence and six months of probation.

Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter. A jury will decide which count is appropriate and if convicted, both would be sentenced for only one count.

Lawyers for Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed said they intended to fight the charges in court.

If found guilty on either count, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed each face up to 18 months in jail and a US$5,000 fine. Prosecutors said one of the counts involved a firearm enhancement that could be punishable by up to five years in prison. - BERNAMA