Last Update: April 21, 2023, 04:24 AM IST
The actor had a Colt .45 gun with him during rehearsals when he killed Hutchins, but he said he was told the gun was safe and he did not pull the trigger. (Image: Alec Baldwin/Twitter)
Baldwin was charged in January with the death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins during the filming of the 2021 western “Rust” in New Mexico.
Charges against Alec Baldwin in a fatal shooting on the set of a movie are to be dropped, his lawyer and US media sources said Thursday, as a newly appointed special prosecutor will take over the case.
Baldwin was charged with the death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins during the filming of the western “Rust” in New Mexico in January 2021 and has pleaded not guilty.
He was holding a Colt .45 gun during rehearsals when he killed Hutchins, but said he was told the gun was safe and did not pull the trigger.
“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,” said attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro.
New Mexico prosecutors did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
Hollywood entertainment media outlet Deadline stated that the charges should be dropped without prejudice.
That means veteran New Mexico attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, who were appointed as special prosecutors last month and are expected to continue investigating the incident, could file new charges down the line. .
Director Joel Souza was injured in the incident.
The criminal case against Baldwin has hit several legal potholes over the past few months.
Baldwin and the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reid, who was responsible for the weapon that killed Hutchins on set, were each charged with two optional counts of voluntary manslaughter.
But a so-called “firearms escalation” was soon dropped due to a technical error alleged by prosecutors.
Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweiss and the case’s previous special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, both stepped down from overseeing the case against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reid.
In a statement Thursday, attorneys for Gutierrez-Reid said, “The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation.”
There was no immediate clarity on whether Gutierrez-Reid would face any charges.
– ‘accusation’ –
Filming of “Rust” was set to resume on Thursday at a new location in the North US state of Montana.
The late cinematographer’s widower, Matthew Hutchins, is serving as an executive producer.
He has already settled a wrongful death lawsuit with “Rust” producers, and has said he has “no interest in blaming or engaging in blame game,” calling his wife’s death “a terrible accident.” .
Baldwin had previously agreed to conditions with a New Mexico court that would allow him to complete filming of the film, including a ban on him using a firearm or drinking alcohol.
Director Souza, who is also returning, said completing the film would be “bittersweet”, but the cast and crew are “committed to finishing what Halina and I started.”
A documentary will also be made covering the life of Halina Hutchins and the completion of the film.
The accident shocked all of Hollywood and led to calls for a complete ban on real guns on set.
Industry experts say that there are already stringent safety rules in place, but they are being ignored.
Dave Hall, the film’s security coordinator and assistant director who handed Baldwin the loaded gun, agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced last month to six months’ probation.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
