A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/crime">criminal</a> case against actor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alec-baldwin">Alec Baldwin</a> related to the fatal shooting on the set of his movie &#8220;Rust&#8221; ended Monday when a prosecutor dropped her appeal of the case&#8217;s dismissal.
Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey withdrew the appeal, per <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/alec-baldwin-manslaughter-case-dropped-by-new-mexico-prosecutor-2024-12-24/">Reuters</a>, effectively ending the criminal proceedings that have been ongoing since the incident occurred in 2021 in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-mexico">New Mexico</a>.
The decision was made after the state attorney general’s office said that it “did not intend to exhaustively pursue the appeal on behalf of the prosecution,” Morrissey said.
Baldwin was accused of involuntary manslaughter in October 2021. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun Baldwin was holding discharged on set, but the actor has maintained all along that he never pulled the trigger. The prosecution argued last July that Baldwin was reckless and criminally negligent for firing the gun, while the defense maintained that as an actor, their client was not responsible for gun safety on set.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case on the third day of the trial after learning that the prosecution did not reveal a cache of bullets to the defense, per <a href="https://variety.com/2024/film/news/alec-baldwin-manslaughter-appeal-dropped-1236258765/">Variety</a>, and that this evidence was potentially crucial. But Morrissey later appealed that decision, saying the bullets were irrelevant to the case. 
Baldwin&#8217;s lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro made a statement on this most recent development, saying: “Today’s decision to dismiss the appeal is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning — this was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. The rule of law remains intact in New Mexico.”
The film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was accused of loading the gun, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March. She appealed her conviction after the charges against Baldwin were dismissed, but her appeal was denied.
Rust’s safety coordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to negligent use of a firearm. He was sentenced to six months of unsupervised parole.
Baldwin previously settled a civil lawsuit filed by loved ones of Hutchins in 2022. &#8220;I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),&#8221; the cinematographer&#8217;s husband Matthew said in a statement at the time.
&#8220;All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work,” the widower said.
Meanwhile, Hutchins’ mother Olga Solovey <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mother-of-cinematographer-killed-on-set-boycotts-rust-premiere-says-alec-baldwin-will-profit">boycotted</a> the premiere of the movie in Poland last month, saying she sees the film’s release as an opportunity for Baldwin to “unjustly profit” from her daughter’s death.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin Off The Hook, New Mexico Prosecutor Drops Manslaughter Case Appeal

Crime

Entertainment

Halyna Hutchins

Hollywood

New Mexico

Rust

The mother of slain cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed in 2021 when a gun held by actor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alec-baldwin">Alec Baldwin</a> went off while filming the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/movies">Western film</a> “Rust,” declined an invitation to its premiere on Wednesday.
“Rust” is premiering at the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage in Torun, Poland, three years after Hutchins was shot and killed. Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, released a statement saying she sees the film’s release as an opportunity for Baldwin to “unjustly profit” from her daughter’s death, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/poland-film-premiere-rust-baldwin-7479e578096359df46251c262e4f9d3d">Associated Press reported</a>.
“It was always my hope to meet my daughter in Poland to watch her work come alive on screen,&#8221; Solovey began in the statement, referencing the fact that director Joel Souza, who was wounded when the revolver Baldwin held fired, was slated to introduce the film at the festival.
“Unfortunately, that was ripped away from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter,&#8221; the statement continued. “Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death. Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.”
“That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of Rust, especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter,&#8221; Solovey said.
A New Mexico judge dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin for the fatal shooting. The 66-year-old actor currently has multiple civil lawsuits pending, including one by Solovey.
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“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with involuntary manslaughter and received the maximum sentence of 18 months in jail.
Baldwin has maintained all along that he was not responsible for the shooting death. In December 2021, Baldwin told George Stephanopoulos in an interview on ABC News that “I didn’t pull the trigger” of the prop gun that fired and killed Hutchins. Baldwin further denied responsibility for Hutchins&#8217; death.
“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” Baldwin told the host. “I might have killed myself if I thought I was responsible, and I don’t say that lightly.”

Mother Of Cinematographer Killed On Set Boycotts ‘Rust’ Premiere, Says Alec Baldwin Will ‘Profit’

Mother Of Cinematographer Killed On Set Boycotts 'Rust' Premiere, Says Alec Baldwin Will 'Profit' 

Movies

Poland

World

&#8220;Rust&#8221; armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on Wednesday was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico film set.
After just three hours of deliberation, the 12-member jury came back with a guilty verdict after finding the movie weapons supervisor responsible, in part, for Hutchins&#8217;s death, The <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1765528427455557904">Associated Press</a> reported. The jury found she was not guilty of tampering with evidence, which was the second charge Gutierrez-Reed faced.
After the verdict was read, defense attorney Jason Bowles said they would appeal the decision, <a href="https://people.com/rust-armorer-hannah-gutierrez-reed-guilty-halyna-hutchins-shooting-death-involuntary-manslaughter-8597605?hid=4f90b78dc31e627328d98338e1fa49d03b364abc&amp;did=12201163-20240306&amp;utm_campaign=ppl-breakingnews_relationship-builder&amp;utm_source=ppl&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=030624&amp;lctg=4f90b78dc31e627328d98338e1fa49d03b364abc">People magazine</a> reported.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A jury convicted a movie weapons supervisor of involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” <a href="https://t.co/ohDdtswnBC">pic.twitter.com/ohDdtswnBC</a>
— The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1765528427455557904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
Following the verdict, the judge ordered that Gutierrez-Reed be remanded into custody. She faces up to 18 months in prison following the conviction. A date for sentencing has yet to be set.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in closing arguments that &#8220;the astonishing lack of diligence with regard to gun safety is without question a significant cause of the death of Halyna Hutchins,&#8221; <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/rust-armorer-trial-hannah-gutierrez-closing-arguments/story?id=107852849">ABC News reported.</a>
&#8220;This is not a case where Hannah Gutierrez made one mistake, and that one mistake was accidental &#8212; putting a live round into that gun,&#8221; Morrissey added. &#8220;This case is about constant, neverending, safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being and nearly killed another.&#8221;
During his closing arguments, Bowles labeled Gutierrez-Reed a &#8220;convenient fall person&#8221; and accused detectives of failing to conduct a thorough investigation, People magazine noted.
Both Gutierrez-Reed and actor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sag-aftra-defends-alec-baldwin-in-rust-shooting-as-actor-prepares-to-defend-himself-against-new-charge">Alec Baldwin</a> were charged in the fatal shooting that left Hutchins dead and injured director Joel Souza.
In January, a grand jury indicted Baldwin for involuntary manslaughter following the fatal shooting, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alec-baldwin-enters-plea-in-rust-shooting-case">reported</a>. The firearm Baldwin was holding discharged the bullet that killed Hutchins. 
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According to <a href="https://variety.com/2024/biz/news/alec-baldwin-manslaughter-rust-shooting-again-1235875855/">Variety</a>, special prosecutors Morrissey and Jason Lewis presented a report to the grand jury showing that the shooting occurred by a &#8220;pull or rearward depression of the trigger.&#8221; Baldwin has repeatedly claimed there was &#8220;no trigger pull.&#8221;
On January 31, Baldwin entered a &#8220;not guilty&#8221; plea through his attorney and waived his right to an arraignment. His trial date is set for July. If convicted, he could spend up to 18 months in prison.

Rust set

‘Rust’ Armorer Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting Of Cinematographer

'Rust' Armorer Convicted Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting Of Cinematographer

Courts

movie

Shooting

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/charges-dropped-against-alec-baldwin-in-fatal-rust-shooting-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alec Baldwin</a> could still face involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the 2021 shooting on the &#8220;Rust&#8221; set that left cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead and injured director Joel Souza.
Two sources told NBC News that New Mexico prosecutors intend to recharge the 65-year-old actor after previously dropping the criminal charges against him, citing &#8220;new facts.&#8221; The sources also said the case could be brought before a grand jury by mid-November.
&#8220;We believe that based on our lengthy and detailed investigation that it is appropriate for a grand jury in New Mexico to make a decision on whether the case should proceed,&#8221; one of the prosecutors, Kari T. Morrissey, told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/arts/alec-baldwin-grand-jury-rust.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a>.
After dropping the charges earlier this year, prosecutors said, &#8220;This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled.&#8221;
&#8220;The gun and broken sear have been sent to the state&#8217;s independent expert for further testing,&#8221; the office said at the time. &#8220;The charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed without prejudice because a possible malfunction of the gun significantly affects causation with regard to Baldwin, not with regard to Gutierrez. If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed.&#8221;
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In October 2021, the &#8220;30 Rock&#8221; star was involved in the shooting of Hutchins on the New Mexico film set. The firearm Baldwin was holding discharged a bullet. Baldwin has repeatedly maintained that there was &#8220;no trigger pull.&#8221;
The state of New Mexico brought in gun analysts Lucien Haag and Mike Haag in its case against &#8220;Rust&#8221; armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to determine if the gun had been modified.
&#8220;Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,&#8221; the analysts concluded.
In January 2023, The Santa Fe County District Attorney&#8217;s Office charged Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The charges were dismissed without prejudice in April.
Gutierrez-Reed was charged with involuntary manslaughter and is expected to plead not guilty, NBC News noted. Her trial is set for February 2024.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/experts-find-alec-baldwin-did-pull-trigger-in-rust-shooting-could-still-face-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Experts Find Alec Baldwin Did Pull Trigger In &#8216;Rust&#8217; Shooting, Could Still Face Charges</a>

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Alec Baldwin Could Still Face Involuntary Manslaughter Charges In ‘Rust’ Shooting

Alec Baldwin Could Still Face Involuntary Manslaughter Charges In 'Rust' Shooting

Celebrities

Death

Film

Prosecutors have alleged that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was probably &#8220;hung over&#8221; when she handed actor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/d-a-steps-down-in-alec-baldwin-case-clears-path-for-special-prosecutor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alec Baldwin</a> a real gun instead of a prop on the set of their movie &#8220;Rust&#8221; in 2021.
Attorneys filed a motion on behalf of Gutierrez-Reed, asking that the involuntary manslaughter charges against her be dismissed — but the prosecution <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/entertainment/armorer-on-fatal-rust-shoot-was-likely-hung-over-when-she-handed-alec-baldwin-a-loaded-gun-da-finds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> with witness statements claiming that the set armorer had been seen &#8220;drinking heavily and smoking marijuana&#8221; in the evenings while they were shooting the film.
According to the prosecution, on the day of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-eyewitness-details-alec-baldwin-shooting-incident-says-actor-asked-why-he-was-given-a-hot-gun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fatal shooting</a>, &#8220;[i]t is likely that Defendant Gutierrez was hung over when she inserted a live bullet into a gun that she knew was going to be used at some point by an actor while filming a shooting scene with other actors and crew members.&#8221;
The prosecution said that Gutierrez-Reed, 25, had displayed a pattern of risky and reckless behavior, and <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rust-weapons-supervisor-accused-hungover-fatal-accident-halyna-hutchins">argued</a> that it was in the best interest of all involved for her to be &#8220;held accountable.&#8221;
The armorer&#8217;s attorney Jason Bowles responded to the prosecution&#8217;s claims, telling <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/14/entertainment/rust-shooting-armorer-indictment-response/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> in a statement, &#8220;The prosecution has so mishandled this case and the case is so weak that they are now resorting to character assassination tactics to further taint the jury pool. … This investigation and prosecution has not been about seeking Justice; for them it’s been about finding a convenient scapegoat.&#8221;
Bowles also spoke with the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/baldwin-rust-set-shooting-gutierrez-reed-04fe1fcefd4e219b53fc26bbc5cd8931">Associated Press</a>, adding, &#8220;The case is so weak that they now have chosen to resort to character assassination claims about Hannah. The prosecution has abandoned the idea of doing justice and getting to the actual truth apparently.&#8221;
Baldwin, who is producing the film, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the charges were dismissed in April — however, further investigation could lead to additional charges against him in the future if the evidence warrants.
&#8220;We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident,&#8221; Baldwin&#8217;s attorneys said at the time.
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Baldwin has since relocated the set of &#8220;Rust&#8221; to Montana and finished shooting the film.

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DA Says Armorer May Have Been Hung Over During Fatal ‘Rust’ Shooting

DA Says Armorer May Have Been Hung Over During Fatal 'Rust' Shooting

The Western <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/movies">film</a> “Rust” is in production again 18 months after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/entertainment">cinematographer</a> Halyna Hutchins was killed by a prop gun <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alec-baldwin">Alec Baldwin</a> was holding, but this time there won’t be any real firearms on set.
The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/arts/rust-alec-baldwin-montana.html?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=fb-nytimes">reported</a> that real guns were prohibited going forward and have been replaced with plastic replicas and rubber bullets.
“I’ve said it, and I’m going to say it every single time: There are no weapons on set,” first assistant director Gerard DiNardi told the crew, per the Times report. “There is nothing that fires. There are a lot of facsimiles of weapons, from rubber to replicas.”
Hutchins was killed in October 2021 when the firearm Baldwin was holding discharged, fatally striking the cinematographer and also injuring movie director Joel Souza. Both the director and Baldwin are back on set.  
The film’s new armorer Andrew Wert said the production would use dummy rounds made of rubber and wood, which are painted gold, the publication noted. Wert has been announcing that each weapon is a replica and will not fire whenever one is introduced on set. The new armorer also keeps the guns locked in a password-protected case between scenes.
Baldwin and former armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Despite charges against Baldwin being dropped last week, special prosecutors said that the investigation remains active and that charges could be refiled.
Director Guy Ritchie said in the wake of the tragedy that he wouldn’t allow real guns on set for his projects. He told <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/guy-ritchie-jake-gyllenhaal-interview-prop-gun-changes-rust-shooting-1795309">Newsweek</a> recently that the crew used Airsoft guns on the set of “The Covenant.”
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“That whole thing has changed now, the whole game has changed. We haven’t used a real weapon since [the ‘Rust’ shooting]. So there were no real weapons. It’s the first shoot that we had, which I have to tell you, it’s a tremendous relief for all of us,” Ritchie said.
“[Airsoft weapons] look as good as real weapons, they do all the functions as a real weapon. You get a gas discharge. It all seems as authentic as it can be, but as Jake [Gyllenhaal] said, it’s Airsoft though. No one can get into any trouble.”
“I’ve never liked real firearms,” the director said. “I had no idea why we carried on in the industry with real firearms. It was just one of those things that everyone did, and it’s a tremendous relief, as I’m sure it is for Jake, as much as it is for me, that you don’t have that sword hanging over us any longer.”

‘Rust’ Resumes Filming With Fake Guns, Rubber Bullets: ‘There Are No Weapons On Set’

'Rust' Resumes Filming With Fake Guns, Rubber Bullets

Guns

Filming of the movie “Rust” is set to begin this week after a roughly 18-month hiatus following the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Principal photography on the movie will resume on Thursday at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, a Rust Movie Productions representative told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/18/entertainment/alec-baldwin-rust-filming-to-resume/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>. The filming location moved from its original set in New Mexico after Hutchins’ death.
Hutchins was killed by a bullet shot from a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin, who is also one of the film’s producers, in October 2021. Prosecutors have charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter alongside the movie’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for the weapons used on set. A preliminary hearing for the charges has been scheduled for May.
The film’s producers had previously planned to resume filming in January, though the month came and went without operations resuming.
Hutchins’ widower Matthew Hutchins is now counted among the show’s producers. He stepped into the role as part of an agreement reached after he sued Baldwin and the film’s production companies and other members of the crew over his wife’s death.
The judge in the lawsuit <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/judge-says-alec-baldwin-settlement-224227111.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sealed</a> the details of the settlement on Monday, saying that the interests of Hutchins’ 10-year-old son overrode any interests in public disclosure.
“What is driving my decision is really the interests of the minor child. And that is one of the very most powerful reasons to seal a matter,” said District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid said.
Baldwin’s attorneys had <a href="https://people.com/movies/alec-baldwin-criticizes-lawsuit-filed-by-halyna-hutchins-family-rust-shooting-misguided/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">argued</a> for the lawsuit to be dismissed.
“The loss of a daughter and sister is undoubtedly painful in any circumstance,” the actor’s legal team said in court documents. “Yet Plaintiffs — who had been distanced from Halyna physically, financially and emotionally for years before her death — have no viable cause of action against Defendants. This action is especially misguided.”
The shooting incident killed Hutchins and wounded another crew member, director Joel Souza, who was hit by the bullet that killed Hutchins. Baldwin was holding the gun that fired the bullet while he was rehearsing a scene that the crew was preparing to shoot. Baldwin held the gun pointed in Hutchins’ direction when it discharged.
Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger on the gun, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him over the cinematographer’s death.
A report later <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/08/15/1117577604/alec-baldwin-fbi-report-movie-shooting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> by the FBI on the circumstances surrounding Hutchins’ death said that the gun could not have been fired without its trigger being pulled. The actor’s legal team responded that the FBI’s findings had been “misconstrued.”

‘Rust’ Production To Resume 18 Months After Cinematographer’s Death

Montana

The district attorney who charged actor Alec Baldwin has stepped down, clearing the way for special prosecutors to take over the case.
Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/santa-fe-da-stepping-prosecuting-rust-set-shooting/story?id=98213896" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced on Wednesday</a> that she was stepping down from the case – and that she had appointed New Mexico attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis to take over the case.
&#8220;My responsibility to the people of the First Judicial District is greater than any one case, which is why I have chosen to appoint a special prosecutor in the &#8216;Rust&#8217; case,&#8221; Carmack-Altwies said. &#8220;Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis will unflinchingly pursue justice in the death of Halyna Hutchins on behalf of the people of First Judicial District.
Carmack-Altwies made the change after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/news/rust-alec-baldwin-special-prosecutor-judge-blocks-appointment-1235565356/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruled on Monday</a> that she could not appoint a special prosecutor in the case unless the District Attorney&#8217;s office planned to recuse itself entirely.
&#8220;You cannot use it unless you’re not going to prosecute,&#8221; Sommer said.
The news also comes just two weeks after former Special Prosecutor Andrea Reeb stepped down as well. Reeb was the special prosecutor who initially investigated the case — but she was then elected to the New Mexico State House, creating a conflict.
Lawyers for Baldwin had <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/alec-baldwin-is-trying-to-get-rust-case-special-prosecutor-tossed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moved to disqualify</a> her, claiming that her continued involvement as a prosecutor would allow her to exercise power in both the state legislature and the state judiciary.
&#8220;Doing so vests two core powers of different branches — legislating and prosecuting — in the same person and is thus barred by the plain language of Article III of the New Mexico Constitution,&#8221; Baldwin&#8217;s attorneys wrote.
&#8220;My priority in this case — and in every case I&#8217;ve prosecuted in my 25-year career — has been justice for the victim,&#8221; Reeb said in a <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/rust-special-prosecutor-announces-step-case/story?id=97867064" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> confirming her decision. &#8220;However, it has become clear that the best way I can ensure justice is served in this case is to step down so that the prosecution can focus on the evidence and the facts, which clearly show a complete disregard for basic safety protocols led to the death of Halyna Hutchins.

The Roundabout Gala 2023

D.A. Steps Down In Alec Baldwin Case, Clears Path For Special Prosecutor

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alec-baldwin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alec Baldwin</a> scored a substantial legal victory Monday when the Santa Fe County, New Mexico, district attorney dropped the gun enhancement charge against the actor in the case over the shooting death of &#8220;Rust&#8221; cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The dropped charge means Baldwin will not face any longer than 18 months in prison, even if he is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, TMZ <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2023/02/20/alec-baldwin-rust-fatal-shooting-da-drops-gun-enhancement-charge/">reported</a>. For Baldwin to be convicted of the gun enhancement charge, prosecutors would have to prove that he brandished the firearm with intent to harm or intimidate a person. 
&#8220;In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the &#8216;Rust&#8217; film set,&#8221; a spokesperson for First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/alec-baldwin-scores-win-rust-fatal-shooting-case-da-drops-firearm-enhancement">told</a> Fox News Digital. &#8220;The prosecution&#8217;s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys.&#8221;
With the gun enhancement charge tacked on, Baldwin would have faced a mandatory five years behind bars if convicted, Fox News reported. Earlier this month, Baldwin’s lawyers challenged the charge, arguing it was unconstitutional. 
&#8220;The prosecutors committed a basic legal error by charging Mr. Baldwin under a version of the firearm-enhancement statute that did not exist on the date of the accident,&#8221; a legal filing stated.
Baldwin was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alec-baldwin-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-over-2021-rust-shooting">charged</a> with involuntary manslaughter last month over the fatal shooting of Hutchins in October 2021. In a probable cause statement, prosecutors <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alec-baldwin-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-over-2021-rust-shooting">allege</a> that Baldwin “drew the revolver from the holster, pointed it at Halyna Hutchins, and fired the weapon.”
The actor has maintained that he is not responsible for Hutchins’ death on the set. 
“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” Baldwin told ABC News&#8217;s George Stephanopoulos in December 2021. “I might have killed myself if I thought I was responsible, and I don’t say that lightly.”
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the person allegedly responsible for handling guns on the movie set, also faces an involuntary manslaughter charge.

D.A. Drops Key Charge Against Alec Baldwin In ‘Rust’ Shooting Case

D.A. Drops Key Charge Against Alec Baldwin In 'Rust' Shooting Case

District Attorneys

Producers confirmed that the western movie “Rust” is scheduled to resume filming in 2023 and that <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alec-baldwin">Alec Baldwin</a> will continue in the lead role. 
The news comes just after Baldwin was charged with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder">involuntary manslaughter</a> stemming from the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. Hutchins was killed on the New Mexico set during a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/entertainment">scene rehearsal</a> when a bullet discharged from a gun Baldwin was holding. The actor maintains that he never pulled the trigger. However, an FBI forensic report <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/gun-rust-shooting-fired-pulling-trigger-fbi-report/story?id=88311336">concluded</a> that the firearm in the fatal shooting could not have fired without the trigger being pulled.
Melina Spadone, an attorney for Rust Movie Productions LLC, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rust-continues-production-alec-baldwin-lead-role-following-involuntary-manslaughter-charges">told</a> Fox News Digital that the movie is &#8220;on track to be completed with Mr. Baldwin in the lead role and Joel Souza as director.&#8221;
Souza was hit with the same bullet that killed Hutchins and was hospitalized but released the day after the shooting.
Spadone also said the project would include &#8220;on-set safety supervisors and union crew members, and will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition.&#8221;
Filming won’t take place in New Mexico, however, as Spadone previously told the news outlet. She said producers were &#8220;considering other locations, including in California, but no decisions have been made.&#8221; 
Last week, Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, slammed the charges brought against his client. 
“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,” the attorney said in a statement. 
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set,” the statement added. “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.”
The charges are considered a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison. But because a firearm was involved, a guilty conviction could result in up to five years of jail time for Baldwin.
Hutchins’ family also released a statement thanking the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for deeming the incident worthy of charges being filed, especially due to the “conscious disregard for human life.” 
“Our independent investigation also supports that charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law,” they said. “We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
Baldwin has been adamant about his innocence since the incident occurred. 
“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” the 64-year-old actor told ABC News in December 2021.

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‘Rust’ Will Resume Production In 2023 With Alec Baldwin In Lead Despite Involuntary Manslaughter Charges

'Rust' Will Resume Production In 2023 With Alec Baldwin In Lead Despite Involuntary Manslaughter Charges

A lawyer representing actor Adam Baldwin slammed the criminal charges brought against him Thursday over the accidental shooting of Halyna Hutchins in 2021 on the set of the film “Rust.”
New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced that Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was the armorer on the set where Hutchins was fatally shot, were each charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,&#8221; Baldwin attorney Luke Nikas said in a statement.
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set,&#8221; the statement added. &#8220;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.”
In New Mexico, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison. However, because a firearm was involved, the punishment for a conviction could be bumped to a mandatory five years in jail.
After the charges were announced, Hutchins’ family released a statement through their attorney, Brian Panish.
“We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life,” the statement said. “Our independent investigation also supports that charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law. We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
The charges come after the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office turned over a 500-page report on its investigation to prosecutors in October. The report contains redactions, but the investigation found that Baldwin fired a gun with live ammunition. The report also paints a chaotic picture of what happened the day of the shooting, as well as documents repeated problems with firearms on the set.
A report signed by the New Mexico chief medical investigator found Hutchins’ death to be an “accident,” according to CNN.
“Review of available law enforcement reports showed no compelling 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 accident,” the report said.
Baldwin has rejected culpability in Hutchins’ death. In December 2021, Baldwin told George Stephanopoulos in an interview on ABC News that “I didn’t pull the trigger” of the prop gun that fired and killed Hutchins. Baldwin further denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death.
“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” Baldwin told the host. “I might have killed myself if I thought I was responsible, and I don’t say that lightly.”
Tim Pearce contributed to this report.

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Alec Baldwin’s Team Responds To Criminal Charges Against The Actor

Alec Baldwin's Team Responds To Criminal Charges Against The Actor

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alec-baldwin">Alec Baldwin</a> has filed a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lawsuit">lawsuit</a> against some former crew members of the movie “Rust,” where a shooting incident resulted in the death of cinematographer <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/halyna-hutchins">Halyna Hutchins</a> last year. 
The 64-year-old actor &#8220;seeks to clear his name,&#8221; new court documents filed in Los Angeles say, as he claims to have suffered loss of status and income after the prop gun he was holding discharged and killed Hutchins in October 2021 while the movie was filming in New Mexico, People <a href="https://people.com/movies/alec-baldwin-rust-seeks-clear-his-name-new-lawsuit-against-armorer-crew/">reported</a>. 
&#8220;More than anyone else on that set, Baldwin has been wrongfully viewed as the perpetrator of this tragedy,&#8221; the lawsuit states. 
Some people named in the newest lawsuit are armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, assistant director David Halls, prop master Sarah Zachry, and armorer assistant Seth Kenney. Kenney&#8217;s prop weapon and ammunition supply store company is also listed as Baldwin seeks damages.
The suit says these individuals &#8220;owed a duty to those on set, including Baldwin, to keep the set safe. Everyone on set, including Baldwin, expected and trusted them to do so.&#8221;
The lawsuit continues, &#8220;This tragedy occurred on a movie set — not a gun range, not a battlefield, not a location where even a remote possibility should exist that a gun would contain live ammunition. It occurred under the supervision of a professional armorer, Gutierrez-Reed, and the First Assistant Director, Halls, who were hired to protect the actors and crew on set.”
&#8220;This tragedy happened because live bullets were delivered to the set and loaded into the gun, Gutierrez-Reed failed to check the bullets or the gun carefully, Halls failed to check the gun carefully and yet announced the gun was safe before handing it to Baldwin, and Zachry failed to disclose that Gutierrez-Reed had been acting recklessly off set and was a safety risk to those around her,&#8221; it says. 
The “30 Rock” actor is seeking &#8220;compensatory, nominal, statutory, and punitive damages.&#8221; 
In October, Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions LLC reached a settlement with the Hutchins’ estate for an undisclosed amount over a wrongful death suit filed in February.
“The filming of ‘Rust,’ which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023,” Halyna’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, said in a statement, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/are-you-for-real-alec-baldwin-hit-with-backlash-over-halyna-hutchins-post-one-year-after-fatal-shooting">reported</a>.
“I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident,” he continued. “I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”

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Alec Baldwin Sues ‘Rust’ Crew For Fatal Gun Error As He ‘Seeks to Clear His Name’

Alec Baldwin Sues 'Rust' Crew For Fatal Gun Error As He 'Seeks to Clear His Name'

Lawsuit

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