Alec Baldwin is facing renewed legal turmoil as a New Mexico grand jury indicted him on involuntary manslaughter charges. The case is related to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film ‘Rust.’
The fatal incident occurred on October 21, 2021. It resulted in Hutchins’ death and injuries to ‘Rust‘ director Joel Souza. Baldwin informed that the gun was ‘cold’ and maintained he did not pull the trigger. Prosecutors reopened the case based on new findings.
Related: Can Alec Baldwin Go To Jail In ‘Rust’ Shooting Accident Case?
Alec Baldwin Charged With Manslaughter
The evidence was presented to a Santa Fe grand jury by special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis, who then handed down the indictment to the 65-year-old actor and producer. This new information rekindles the criminal case against Baldwin, who was first accused of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2021 incident in January 2023. At that point, Baldwin entered a not-guilty plea.
Morrissey and Lewis dropped the initial charges three months after Baldwin’s plea, citing the emergence of new facts requiring further investigation and forensic analysis.
The decision to reopen the case came in October when Morrissey and Lewis asserted that “additional facts” had emerged, showing Baldwin’s potential criminal culpability. Forensic gun expert Lucien C. Haag’s analysis indicated that the prop gun’s trigger had to be pulled or depressed to discharge, contradicting Baldwin’s claim that he did not pull the trigger.
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Alec Baldwin’s Attorneys Respond To The Indictment
In response to the indictment, Baldwin’s defense attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, conveyed their readiness for the impending legal proceedings, stating, “We look forward to our day in court.”
Alongside Baldwin, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, faces involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering charges, pleading not guilty. Gutierrez-Reed’s trial is scheduled to begin next month.
Baldwin marked the production of ‘Rust’ concluded last May with an Instagram picture. Devon Werkheiser, Jensen Ackles, and Travis Kimmel are among the other actors starring in the 1880s Kansas Western drama.
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