More than a year ago, on the set of the western Rust a tragedy took place: the cast and crew were rehearsing a sequence, when, a prop gun held by the actor and film producer, Alec Baldwin he accidentally fired, killing the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring the director Joel Souza.
The star has repeatedly denied over the course of the weeks and months following the event that she didn’t pull the trigger. The production of Rust has been suspended while New Mexico authorities investigated the incident to date, although production is expected to resume later this month.
The final charge against Alec Baldwin has been revealed
The investigation has been completed and, according to the Wall Street Journal, prosecutors are planning to charge Alec Baldwin manslaughter charge for his role in the accident on the set of Rust. Also Hannah Gutierrez Reedthe film’s weapons officer, is expected to be charged with manslaughter. David Hallsthe film’s first assistant director and on-set safety coordinator, pleaded guilty to careless use of a lethal weapon.
The lawyer of Baldwin, Luke Nickreplied that he intends to oppose the allegations, while the Hutchins family supports the decision of the allegations.
This is the lawyer’s statement Alec Baldwin, Luke Nikas:
“This decision distorts the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and represents a terrible mistrial. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a real bullet in the gun – or anywhere else on the movie set. He relied on the professionals he worked with, who assured him the gun did not contain live bullets. We will fight these allegations and we will win.”
The statement from the family follows Hutchins:
“We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that the manslaughter charges are justified for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life. Our independent investigation also maintains that the allegations are justified. It’s a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law. We support the allegations, will fully cooperate with this proceeding, and fervently hope that the justice system works to protect the public and hold those who break the law accountable.”
After more than a year of speculation and conflicting reports, the official investigation into the shooting on the set of Rust has finally revealed what happened that fateful day. According to affidavits from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, sia Gutierrez Reed that Halls they would handle the weapon before the assistant director passed it to Baldwin for rehearsal, screaming “cold gun” to indicate that it was not loaded with live ammunition.
While practicing drawing his weapon, the actor allegedly fired a live round from the revolver, which killed Hutchins he is wounded Souza. However, investigators have not yet revealed how the live ammunition got to the set.
Alec Baldwin he continues to maintain that he did not pull the trigger of the gun, but pulled the hammer back and let it go, which he says caused the gun to explode. The manslaughter, of which the Hollywood star was accused, is considered a fourth-degree felony and carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison in New Mexico. After being announced on Jan. 19, the charges will be officially filed later this month.
