Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 21, 2021, shooting at Rust that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
According to the BBC, the comedian-actor-producer has been charged with “several instances of extraordinarily irresponsible actions.” In addition to him, the movie’s weapons handler will also be prosecuted on similar allegations.
The paperwork containing the charges were made public on Tuesday after the verdict was initially declared on January 19. Alec Baldwin was allegedly distracted during the instruction on how to use a prop pistol by conversing on the phone with family members, according to a statement from special investigator Robert Shilling at the district attorney’s office. Shilling
The paperwork containing the charges were made public on Tuesday after the verdict was initially declared on January 19. Alec Baldwin was allegedly distracted during the instruction on how to use a prop pistol by conversing on the phone with family members, according to a statement from special investigator Robert Shilling at the district attorney’s office.
Shilling went on to say that the tragic incident might not have occurred if Baldwin had followed the required safety protocol with armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed instead of pointing the gun at Hutchins. “The fatal shooting was directly caused by this reckless departure from accepted norms, practise, and policy,” he claimed.
Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed could spend up to 18 months in jail if they are proven guilty. They will also be required to pay a $5,000 (£4,050) punishment. According to the prosecution, a jury will decide their fate.
What did Alec Baldwin do while filming for Rust?
For the uninitiated, Alec Baldwin is an actor, producer, and comedian who was filming the low-budget western movie Rust on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico, when he was practising with an antique rifle. Baldwin received the pistol from Halls, who informed him that it was empty of live rounds.
The 42-year-old cameraman was fatally wounded in the chest when the weapon went off during the practise. Joel Souza, the director, was also hurt. Five real shots mixed with dummy rounds were discovered on the set after the incident.