Actor Alec Baldwin is facing new charges of manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of a cinematographer on the set of the movie “The Last.”
A grand jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico, indicted Baldwin on Friday, months after prosecutors dismissed similar criminal charges against him.
In October 2021, during rehearsals on the set of the western film The Last, Baldwin pointed a gun at cinematographer Halina Hutchins and opened fire, fatally wounding her and also injuring director Joel Souza. .
Baldwin, who co-produced and stars in the film, said he did not pull the trigger, but instead pulled back the gun's hammer before firing.
Last April, a special prosecutor dismissed manslaughter charges against Baldwin, saying the gun may have been modified and malfunctioned before firing. Forensic analysis warranted. But in August, prosecutors announced they were considering re-indicting him after completing a new analysis of the weapons.
a report “Alec Baldwin has repeatedly denied pulling the trigger, but given the tests, findings, and observations reported here, ballistics and forensic testing experts commissioned by prosecutors say that “The trigger had to be pulled or depressed far enough to release the cocked bullet or forensic ammunition.” The retracted hammer of the evidence revolver. ”
The prosecution presented new evidence The case goes to a grand jury in Santa Fe this week.
“We look forward to our day in court,” Baldwin's attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in an email Friday.
Baldwin and his co-producers are also facing civil lawsuits seeking financial compensation from the “Last” crew, but judges have put those lawsuits on hold while the criminal case proceeds.
Rust's weapons supervisor, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was previously charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence, and her trial is scheduled for February.
Gutierrez-Reed pleaded not guilty last year. Prosecutors contend that she acted recklessly when she handed Baldwin her loaded gun at the scene of the shooting and failed to ensure that all of the bullets in her gun were dummy. I'm blaming. Gutierrez-Reed is also suspected of having been drinking the night before her death, and prosecutors have suggested she was hungover during the shooting.
The cause of the crime of falsification is suspicion After being questioned by police, Gutierrez-Reed reportedly handed over a small bag containing cocaine to another person.
Gutierrez-Reed's lawyers had previously sought to dismiss the manslaughter charges against her, but accused prosecutors of mishandling the case and attempting to “character assassinate” their client.
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The former special prosecutor who handled the case resigned last year after Baldwin's lawyers asked for her removal because of her role as the state's representative in Congress.
David Halls, the film's assistant director and safety coordinator, pleaded no contest to dangerous handling of a firearm last March. He is cooperating with the investigation and was sentenced to six months' probation. He and Baldwin Said They did not realize there was live ammunition in the gun. When the charges against Baldwin were dropped last year, Halls' attorney Said: “Mr. Halls never believed that Mr. Baldwin should be charged with a crime. This was a tragic accident that is best resolved in criminal court.”
Last Movie Productions also paid a $100,000 fine to the New Mexico Workplace Safety Regulatory Authority. The company was accused of violating industry regulations and failing to fix problems that arose after two misfires on set before Hutchins was killed.
Rust resumed production last April. Her late cinematographer husband, Matthew Hutchins, had negotiated a contract for him to be the film's executive producer.
Industry experts say the tragedy has rippled through Hollywood and led to improvements in gun safety.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
