Alec Baldwin entered a plea on Wednesday in the case against him following the 2021 shooting on the set of the film “Rust” that left cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead and injured director Joel Souza.
The 65-year-old actor entered not guilty plea through his attorney for a second time to the involuntary manslaughter charge following the fatal shooting on the New Mexico film set, the New York Post reported.
In a court filing, Baldwin entered the plea and waived his right to an arraignment, which was scheduled to happen virtually on Thursday, ABC News noted. If convicted, Baldwin could spend up to 18 months in prison, the outlet noted.
Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. https://t.co/ULabrIdUyv pic.twitter.com/dEQSzBN4qT
— ABC News (@ABC) January 31, 2024
Earlier this month, a grand jury indicted the “Saturday Night Live” star for involuntary manslaughter. Two special prosecutors, Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, presented their case to the grand jury after receiving further analysis about the gun used, Variety noted. The report found that the shooting occurred by a “pull or rearward depression of the trigger,” something Baldwin previously had been adamant he hadn’t done.
“This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger,” the report concluded. “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.”
Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, released a statement at the time that said, “We look forward to our day in court.”
Two sources previously told NBC News that New Mexico prosecutors intended to recharge the actor after previously dropping the criminal charges against him, citing “new facts.”
At the time, Nikas and Alex Spiro said, “It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court.”
In January 2023, the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office charged Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The charges were dismissed without prejudice in April after the actor’s legal team claimed the gun had been modified in some way which caused it to malfunction, the Associated Press noted.
Prosecutors made clear at the time, “This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled.”
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“The gun and broken sear have been sent to the state’s independent expert for further testing,” the office said at the time. “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.”
The state of New Mexico brought in gun analysts Lucien Haag and Mike Haag in its case against “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to determine if the gun had been modified. That report determined the “trigger had to [be] pulled or depressed.”
In October 2021, the “30 Rock” 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 “no trigger pull.”
Gutierrez-Reed was charged with involuntary manslaughter and pleaded not guilty, the AP noted. Her trial is set for February 21, 2024, Variety noted.