Alec Baldwin now faces lesser involuntary manslaughter charges, which could result in less time behind bars for the fatal shooting that occurred on the movie set in 2021. “Rust,” charging documents showed.
In connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies charged Baldwin and the film’s set armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter last month. The most serious charge carries a potential prison sentence of five years.
Carmack-Altwies changed Baldwin and Gutierrez-charges Reed’s on Friday. The firearm enhancement was removed, and their potential jail terms were lowered from a minimum of five years to a maximum of 18 months.
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“In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the district attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” film set,” Heather Brewer, a spokesperson for the New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney, said in a statement.
Requests for comment from Baldwin’s counsel did not immediately elicit a response. “We applaud the decision of the district attorney to dismiss the firearm enhancement, and it was the right call, ethically and on the merits,” said Jason Bowles, an attorney for Gutierrez-Reed.
The “30 Rock” actor has denied responsibility for the shooting, It took place when a live round from a revolver he was practicing with hit Hutchins and killed him. He claims he only cocked the revolver—never pulling the trigger—and that it was the responsibility of Gutierrez-Reed and other firearms experts to ensure it was empty.
Gutierrez-Reed testified to New Mexico’s worker safety agency (OSHA) on Dec. 7 that the shooting might have been prevented had she had more time to train Baldwin. She said he had “poor form” when using the revolver.
