New Mexico prosecutors have decided to drop criminal charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halina Hutchins on the set of the 2021 Western film “Rust,” Baldwin’s lawyers said Thursday.
Baldwin, 65, was charged in January with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Hutchins and the injury of “Rust” director Joel Souza, who was also shot.
The actor was accused of showing “reckless” disregard for safety in Hutchins’ death. He pleaded not guilty in February after prosecutors downplayed the seriousness of the charges, reducing potential jail time.
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“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin And we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” Alec Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nicks and Alex Spiro said in a statement.
A spokeswoman for prosecutors in the First Judicial District of New Mexico, where the charges were filed, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
first assistant director on set, dave hall, was given a suspended sentence last month after pleading guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon. Prosecutors had said that he was responsible for set security.
film armour, Hannah Gutierrez-ReidAlso faces murder charges and has pleaded not guilty.