Acclaimed actor Alec Baldwin is set to be arraigned on Thursday in New Mexico, facing renewed charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the tragic 2021 shooting incident on the set of the film “Rust.”
The arraignment, scheduled to take place virtually in the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe, comes after Baldwin was charged again following the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Defense Maintains Actor’s Innocence
The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal on the “Rust” set, resulting in the death of Hutchins.
Initially, charges against Baldwin were dropped, but they have been reinstated based on an independent forensic test indicating that Baldwin would have had to pull the trigger of the revolver used in the rehearsal for the live round to be fired, fatally striking Hutchins in the chest.
Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, issued a statement earlier this month expressing their anticipation for the legal proceedings, stating, “We look forward to our day in court.” The defense has consistently maintained Baldwin’s innocence, with the actor denying responsibility for Hutchins’ tragic death.
The charges were brought forth through a New Mexico grand jury indictment following the forensic test’s findings, aligning with a previous FBI test on the firearm.
The defense has criticized the case, labeling it a “misguided prosecution” and emphasizing the unforeseen nature of the incident as a “terrible tragedy.”
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Alec Baldwin Prepares for the Virtual Arraignment
In the shooting, director Joel Souza was also wounded in the shoulder by the same bullet that claimed Hutchins’ life.
The assistant director, David Halls, who handed the gun to Baldwin, conveyed to the actor that the weapon was “cold,” signifying it did not contain live ammunition or blanks.
Halls, who was unaware the gun was loaded, received a suspended sentence, probation, a fine, community service, and firearms safety training as part of a plea agreement last year.
The movie’s chief weapons handler, Hannah Gutierrez, is also facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and is expected to go to trial later this year.
Previous charges against Baldwin were dismissed by prosecutors, citing evidence of a modified hammer on the revolver, potentially allowing it to fire without the trigger being pulled.
As Alec Baldwin prepares for the virtual arraignment, the renewed legal proceedings cast a spotlight on the complexities of the case and the tragic consequences that unfolded on the “Rust” film set.
The defense continues to contend that Baldwin was not responsible for the accidental discharge of the firearm during the rehearsal.
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