Baldwin pleads not guilty in ‘Rust’ shooting

Alec Baldwin pleaded not guilty Thursday in the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Baldwin, 64, did not appear in person or by video to enter the plea. Instead, he submitted paperwork through his attorneys and waived the rest of the hearing.

District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer set the terms of Baldwin’s release Thursday as well.

He may not possess any firearms, consume alcohol or have contact with potential witnesses unless it’s related to the film production.

In January, more than a year after Baldwin fatally shot Hutchins on the set of “Rust” on Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, N.M., he was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The “30 Rock” star has maintained his innocence throughout the process. In a December 2021 TV interview, he claimed that he never pulled the trigger and the gun fired when he cocked the hammer.

The FBI later tested the gun and could not find any way to make it fire a bullet without pulling the trigger.

“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is similarly charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly bringing live ammunition to the “Rust” set, is due in court Friday.

Assistant director David Halls, who declared the gun “cold” before handing it to Baldwin, took a plea deal with New Mexico prosecutors. Halls agreed to plead no contest to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed initially faced up to five years in prison on the involuntary manslaughter charge, but New Mexico prosecutors dropped a firearms enhancement earlier this week. Now, both parties face a maximum of 18 months in prison, with no mandatory minimum.