Alec Baldwin will face criminal charges over the death (Picture: Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic)
Halyna Hutchins’ family have voiced their ‘support’ for the decision to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
The cinematographer was fatally shot on the set of the film in October 2021 and on Thursday, authorities revealed the lead actor and crew member would both be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the tragedy, while Assistant Director Dave Halls agreed a plea deal for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
In a statement, Hutchins’ family responded to the news and promised to ‘fully cooperate’ with the prosecution.
The family’s attorney Brian J. Panish said: ‘We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life.
‘Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law.
‘We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.’
Halyna Hutchins lost her life in the incident (Picture: Sonia Recchia/Getty Images)
The actor’s lawyer has slammed the decision to prosecute him over the Rust shooting as a ‘terrible miscarriage of justice’.
Discussing the outcome, Luke Nikas, of Quinn Emanuel, said via PA: ‘This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.
‘Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set.
‘He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.’
Jason Bowles and Todd J. Bullion, attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed, said in a separate statement: ‘Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter.
Baldwin has always maintained it was an accident (Picture: Reuters)
‘These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury.’
According to the DA’s office, via PA, they will both be ‘charged in the alternative’, which means a jury will decide not only whether the two are guilty, but also under which legal definition of involuntary manslaughter.
Under New Mexico law, both charges are a fourth-degree felony and are punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
However, one definition would involve a firearm enhancement – or added mandatory penalty, due to the involvement of a firearm – meaning that the crime could be punishable by a mandatory five years in jail.
Last October, Alec and the other producers on ‘Rust’ settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Halyna’s widower Matthew.
As well as a settlement, they agreed to complete Rust with Matthew serving as an executive producer, and production on the film was due to resume this month.
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MORE : Alec Baldwin to be charged with involuntary manslaughter after Halyna Hutchins died in Rust shooting
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The cinematographer died in the incident.
