Baldwin is to face charges along with an armorer and assistant director
Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the Rust film set shooting of Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
Baldwin was holding and discharged the prop gun that killed the cinematographer.
The 64-year-old, alongside armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will both face two counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the shooting on the western film set, it was announced on Thursday.
Assistant director David Halls has signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
New Mexico District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said the decision was in keeping with “her commitment to pursue justice for all victims”.
The statement said the terms “include a suspended sentence and six months of probation”.
Carmack-Altwies said: “After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew.
“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be “charged in the alternative” with the two counts of involuntary manslaughter meaning it will be up to a jury to decide, not simply if they are guilty, but under which definition of involuntary manslaughter they were guilty.
The first, can be referred to simply as involuntary manslaughter, and for the charge to be proved there must be underlying negligence.
Under New Mexico law, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a £4,044 ($5,000) fine.
The second charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act – which requires proof of more than just negligence. It is punishable by up to 18 months in jail and up to a £4,044 ($5,000) fine.
Related links:
- Alec and Hilaria Baldwin called out for the name they chose for their seventh child
- FBI release findings of Rust investigation after shooting of Halyna Hutchins
- Never-before-seen footage released from Rust set of moments before and after Halyna Hutchins’ death
- Alec Baldwin’s heartbreaking reaction after learning Halyna Hutchins died shown in police video