Baldwin charged again over fatal shooting on set of Western ‘Rust’

David Millward US CorreSpondent

ALEC BALDWIN has again been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western he was making.

A grand jury in New Mexico revived the case against the 65-year-old Hollywood star nine months after they were dropped by state prosecutors.

It is understood that at least eight of the 12 jurors agreed that there was probable cause to indict the actor.

Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter through the negligent use of a firearm or alternatively without due caution or circumspection.

If convicted, he faces a potential jail term of up to 18 months for a fourthdegree felony under New Mexico law.

In response to yesterday’s indictment, Baldwin’s lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel, said: “We look forward to our day in court.”

The case centres on the accidental shooting of Ms Hutchins, a mother of one, on the set of a Western which was being filmed in New Mexico, in 2021.

She died after a gun Baldwin was holding went off. He has said he believed the pistol was loaded with blanks rather than live ammunition.

Baldwin, who was both the producer and star of the film, also said he had been told that there was no live ammunition on the set. He has maintained that he did not pull the trigger when the gun went off.

However, a forensic report commissioned by the prosecution found that the gun could not have been fired without the trigger having been pulled.

It reached the conclusion following extensive examination by a ballistics testing company in Arizona.

“Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,” said Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services, who carried out the analysis.

The original prosecuting team held that Baldwin acted with “wilful disregard” in the way in which he handled the weapon.

It argued that, as actor and producer, Baldwin, who was initially charged in January last year, was responsible for ensuring that the gun did not contain live rounds.

Baldwin’s legal team disputed this and they were supported by the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, saying: “An actor’s job is not to be a firearms expert.”

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armourer who was responsible for the weapons on the set, has already pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and her trial is due to start next month.

Dave Halls, the film’s first assistant director who was in charge of safety on the set, denied a misdemeanour charge.

Ms Hutchins’s parents are suing Baldwin and the film’s producers. Their lawyer, Gloria Allred, said: “They continue to seek the truth in our lawsuit.”

Hollywood star faces fresh involuntary manslaughter count as grand jury in New Mexico revives case