Alec Baldwin is facing trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 killing of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after a New Mexico judge denied his bid to dismiss the case. The actor, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to go to trial in July. The decision to proceed with the trial came after a hearing where special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey argued that Baldwin had responsibility for the firearms once they were in his hands. Baldwin’s attorneys, however, argued that critical evidence was not presented during a grand jury proceeding that led to his indictment on the manslaughter charge. If convicted, Baldwin could face a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.
The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, as Baldwin was rehearsing a scene on the set of “Rust.” Baldwin has claimed that Hutchins instructed him to aim the gun at her while he practiced a cross-draw maneuver. The gun discharged a live round of ammunition during the move, fatally striking Hutchins and injuring the film’s director, Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger and that the gun malfunctioned. Initially, Baldwin and the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the charge against Baldwin was temporarily dismissed and then reinstated by a grand jury in January.
Following the tragic incident, Baldwin traveled to Montana to film the remaining scenes as part of a settlement of a wrongful death claim from Hutchins’ family. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March but found not guilty of tampering with evidence. She is currently serving an 18-month sentence in prison. Baldwin reached a settlement with Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, in which the family agreed to terms of the lawsuit filed against the actor. Matthew Hutchins also became an executive producer on the film. In a statement, he expressed that Halyna’s death was a terrible accident and that he had no interest in assigning blame to producers or Baldwin.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings and the tragic outcome, Baldwin has maintained his innocence, claiming that the shooting was a result of a malfunctioning firearm. The case has sparked discussions about on-set safety protocols and the responsibility of individuals handling firearms in the entertainment industry. The upcoming trial will shed further light on the events surrounding the shooting and determine the accountability of those involved. The settlement reached between Baldwin and Hutchins’ family reflects a desire to move forward and focus on honoring Halyna’s memory while ensuring justice is served. As the trial approaches, the outcome remains uncertain, but it is clear that the tragic incident has had a lasting impact on all those involved.
