On October 17, in New Mexico, news emerged that prosecutors will convene a grand jury to consider refiling an involuntary manslaughter charge against actor Alec Baldwin regarding the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021.
The decision to revisit the charge follows the initial manslaughter charge’s dismissal in April. New forensic evidence suggests the possibility of Baldwin’s having a criminal role in Hutchins’ death. This analysis challenges Baldwin’s prior statement where he said he didn’t pull the trigger, with evidence that he had to exert pressure on the trigger for the weapon to fire.
Initially, the charge against Baldwin had been dropped after indications that the gun might have been modified. Baldwin’s defense, commenting on the new development, labels the prosecution’s efforts as “misguided” and ensures readiness to address any charges formally.
Should Baldwin be convicted based on the new developments, he could potentially serve up to 18 months in prison. The case has once again sparked discussions about safety measures on movie sets and the obligations of those participating.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer, continues to be under examination. An active criminal case against Gutierrez-Reed puts a spotlight on possible safety protocol violations and her involvement.
Beyond the potential charges against Baldwin, the investigation is also focusing on the film’s production aspects. Prosecutors are requesting documents about Baldwin’s contract with the movie’s production firm, hinting at an expanded inquiry possibly involving other team members or elements associated with the making of the movie.
