Alec Baldwin vows to fight in court if he is charged with involuntary manslaughter over fatal Rust shooting
- Alec Baldwin’s attorney said he intends to fight the case in court if charged for involuntary manslaughter
- Baldwin shot and killed Halyna Hutchins on Rust set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021
- The actor has continued to state that it was a fatal accident that he bears no responsibility
Alec Baldwin has vowed to fight in court if he is charged with involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his movie Rust in October 2021.
On Tuesday, New Mexico prosecutors announced they will present a case against Baldwin to a grand jury.
The actor’s attorney, Luke Nikas, called the decision ‘unfortunate’ and that he intends to fight the case in court.
‘It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court,’ the attorneys stated.
Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, the special prosecutors on the case, said they will bring the case before the grand jury within the next two months to be considered for criminal charges.
If convicted, the father of eight could face up to 18 months in prison.
Alec Baldwin’s attorney has called the decision of possibly charging his client with involuntary manslaughter ‘unfortunate’ and that he intends to fight the case in court after the actor shot Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust
Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Hutchins (pictured) on the movie set of his western Rust in October 2021. He’s insisted that the gun fired spontaneously, as he struck director Joel Souza in the shoulder before he shot Hutchins
‘After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,’ Morrissey and Lewis said in a statement.
‘We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial.’
The news of the potential charges comes as Baldwin’s wife was spotted in New York City on Tuesday. Hilaria Baldwin was seen outside of her Manhattan apartment wearing a white tank top and gray denim pants.
Hilaria has long supported Alec in the shooting’s aftermath. In February, she made a lengthy social-media post expressing love for her husband.
‘But here we are…still standing, surrounded by all of you amazing humans, our tiny babes…and together,’ she stated. ‘In it with you, Alec…I’m here, we are here…never alone.’
On October 21, 2021, Baldwin was filming a scene inside a church when he pulled the trigger on his Colt .45 revolver and fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
He’s insisted that the gun fired spontaneously, as he struck director Joel Souza in the shoulder before he shot Hutchins.
Hutchins was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Baldwin was interviewed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office following her death, as he showed tremendous emotions for his actions.
The first prosecutor, Andrea Reeb was in charge of the case and took a year to charge Baldwin as she went on and gave multiple interviews to the press.
The news of the potential charges comes as Baldwin’s wife was spotted in New York City on Tuesday
Hilaria has long supported Alec in the shooting’s aftermath . In February, she made a lengthy social-media post expressing love for her husband
Baldwin with Hutchins (center) and other members of the film’s cast on set in Santa Fe as they shot the movie Rust. Baldwin fired Colt .45 revolver that fatally shot Hutchins. He is now facing charges of involuntary manslaughter
Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, the special prosecutors on the case said they will bring the case before the grand jury within the next two months where they will consider criminal charges against Baldwin
Baldwin and his attorneys argued he was being made an example of by a fame-hungry, fanatical prosecutor.
Reeb resigned from the case before Mary Carmack-Altwies, the elected Santa Fe District Attorney then withdrew from the case after a judge determined she could not team up with a special prosecutor.
‘Carmack-Altwies had said that her office was too understaffed to handle the case without outside help,’ Variety Australia reported.
After more than a year of investigation, the actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January, but those charges were dropped in April of this year after his defense lawyers raised doubts about the functionality of the gun.
They suggested that the gun he was using could have been altered before he handled it, which then led to it malfunctioning when he pulled the trigger.
A report that was made public in August of this year found that the trigger had to have been pulled in order for the revolver to be fired and that it was not modified.
The special prosecutors against Baldwin said that they intend to recharge Baldwin.
‘This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled,’ Morrissey and Lewis said.
Baldwin, who has yet to comment on the developments of his case, has continued to state that it was a fatal accident that he bears no responsibility for.
Hutchins’ widower said Baldwin was initially compassionate and supportive toward the family.
Baldwin was interviewed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office following her death, as he showed tremendous emotions for his actions. Hutchins widower said that Baldwin was initially compassionate and supportive toward the family
Baldwin, his wife Hilaria and their seven of their eight children at a film festival in East Hampton on October 7. If convicted, the father and actor could face up to 18 months in prison
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, in charge of the safety of the cast and crew was also charged with involuntary manslaughter. She is set to face trial next February.
The assistant director of Rust, Dave Halls accepted a plea deal on a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
In March, Halls was sentenced to six months of supervised probation.
It is still unknow how live rounds ended up on set.
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