Alec Baldwin is expected to appear in US court for the first time later this month in connection with the death of Halina Hutchins.
The Hollywood actor was formally charged with two counts of manslaughter on Tuesday following an incident on the set of the New Mexico western. rust in October 2021.
Santa Fe County Attorney’s Office formally charged him with the crimes, along with the film’s gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
Mr. Baldwin will appear in Santa Fe District Court at 10:00 a.m. local time Feb. 24, it was confirmed on Wednesday. The hearing is expected to take place virtually.
Both Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reid denied any wrongdoing in connection with the case and vowed to contest the charge.
Ms Hutchins, 42, was shot dead and director Joel Souza was shot during a rehearsal at a farm on the outskirts of Santa Fe in October 2021. Mr. Baldwin, who was practicing painting and shooting in front of the camera, accidentally fired a live shot from a pistol prepared by Mrs. Gutierrez-Reid.
It remains unclear how live ammunition entered the gun, but District Attorney Mary Carmack-Oltwis stated that Baldwin’s “reckless deviation from known norms, practices and protocols” was directly responsible for the fatal shooting.
Court documents released on Tuesday show that Baldwin “did not attend the required firearms practice prior to filming” and was distracted during the 30-minute practice while talking on the phone with his family.
The actor and the gunsmith did not follow “standard safety protocol” when inspecting firearms for bullets, the documents say, adding: “If the tragedy hadn’t happened.”
Ms. Gutierrez-Reed was supposed to be present all the time but “left the church when Baldwin had a firearm,” court documents say.
Prosecutors said Mr Baldwin’s involvement as a producer and shooter of the gun influenced the decision to file charges against him.
As a producer, Baldwin has been accused of not addressing “several major incidents and security issues that led to several known reckless actions that led to, facilitated and caused filming” and of using “industry standards and practices.” “. Mrs. Gutierrez-Reid, who had no certification or training as a gunsmith, was also diverted to a supporting role as an assistant prop maker.
Before the manslaughter charges were uncovered, Mr. Baldwin reached an agreement with Ms. Hutchins’ family that allowed him to rust will be completed in memory of Mrs. Hutchins.
Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed face “alternative” charges on two counts of manslaughter, meaning the jury will decide not only whether they are guilty, but what definition of manslaughter they are guilty of, the prosecutor said.
The first charge can be called negligent homicide and requires proof of underlying negligence. This charge also includes a charge of negligent handling of a firearm.
The second charge is negligent homicide in the commission of a lawful act, requiring proof that more than mere negligence was involved in the death.
Under New Mexico law, both charges are fourth-degree felony and carry up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 (£4,000) fine.
The second charge relates to the improvement of firearms or forced punishment, whereby the crime carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence.
Source: I News
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