Alec Baldwin may face criminal charges once again in relation to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set. Special prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they intend to present their investigation of the actor to a grand jury.
Baldwin, aged 65, was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act following the shooting of Hutchins with a prop gun on the set of “Rust” on October 21, 2021.
However, in April, prosecutors stated that “new facts” had emerged, making it impossible for them to immediately proceed with the criminal case against Baldwin based on the existing evidence provided by law enforcement. Nevertheless, they cautioned that this decision “does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be re-filed.”
On Tuesday, special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis revealed their plans to present the case to a grand jury in Santa Fe within the next two months. The grand jury will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge Baldwin with criminal offenses.
In a joint statement, Morrissey and Lewis said, “After an extensive investigation over the past few months, additional evidence has emerged that we believe shows Mr. Baldwin’s criminal responsibility in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza. We believe that the appropriate action is to allow a panel of New Mexico citizens to decide whether Mr. Baldwin should stand trial for these criminal charges.”
According to NBC News, a source who requested anonymity reported that prosecutors had discovered new evidence indicating a link between Baldwin, who is also a producer of “Rust,” and “recklessness regarding safety standards on the set.”
Upon hearing the news, Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro stated in a response to NBC News, “It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will address any charges in court.”
Hutchins, aged 42, was fatally shot when a bullet was discharged from a prop gun held by Baldwin as he helped set up camera angles for an upcoming scene. The bullet also injured Souza.
Baldwin has stated that he was told the gun was “cold” and did not contain live rounds. He has also maintained that although he pulled back the hammer on the weapon, he never pulled the trigger.
The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting and is awaiting trial. She has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that she had no knowledge of how live ammunition ended up on the set.
When the charges against Baldwin were dropped in April, some reports suggested that evidence indicating the gun had been modified weakened the case against the actor. The modifications made it possible for the weapon to misfire without the trigger being pulled. Baldwin, however, maintains that he never pulled the trigger.
NBC News reported on Tuesday that prosecutors no longer believe the gun had been modified.
Previously, Nikas said that Baldwin bore no responsibility for the shooting, as he was assured by professionals on the set that the gun contained no live ammunition. He relied on their expertise.
Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed have also denied any wrongdoing on her part. At one point, they even suggested that others on the set may have attempted to “sabotage” the production by mixing live rounds with blanks.
The film’s assistant director, David Halls, entered a no contest plea to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and received a suspended sentence and six months probation.
Production on “Rust” was paused following the shooting but resumed earlier this year. Hutchins’ husband is serving as a producer as part of a lawsuit settlement.
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