Alec Baldwin Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter for RUST Shooting
By Movieguide® Contributor
Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter last Friday for the death of RUST cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Hutchins was killed when a prop gun Baldwin was holding went off on the RUST set. Another crew member was also wounded.
PEOPLE reported, “Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis dropped initial charges against Baldwin in April citing ‘new facts’ in the case and said at the time they reserved the right to recharge him. They announced in October, ‘After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza.’”
Attorney Christopher C. Melcher shared with Fox News Digital why the case was reopened.
“The outtakes that were released in the fall were helpful and hurtful to his defense. It showed him directing a crew member to stand away from the direction that Alec was pointing his pistol. That establishes that Alec was acting safely at the moment when handling a firearm (which is good for him), but it also shows that he understood the rules of gun safety (which shows he acted without due regard for safety when he shot Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza),” Melcher said.
Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger.
“Actors are not expected to be gun experts, but Alec was handed a real firearm and pointed it at two people without checking himself to see if it was unloaded, or having the prop master do that for him,” Melcher added. “It is standard procedure to ensure that a firearm is unloaded when using it on the set. Alec would have followed that process hundreds of times in his career. But this time he took possession of the firearm, pointed it at two people and shot them. It would have taken seconds to determine there was a live round in the gun. The failure to use due care when handling a deadly weapon is not an accident, it is a crime.”
Rither Alabre, a former prosecutor, shared that forensic evidence must have also played a part in Baldwin’s conviction.
“It appears that the prosecutors did conduct further forensic analysis on the gun and they now believe they have the evidence that was previously lacking, namely the gun could not have been fired without someone (namely Baldwin) pulling the trigger,” he said.
AP reported, “Defense attorneys for Baldwin indicate they’ll fight the charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months.”
Movieguide® reported on the case last November:
Prosecutors are getting ready to present evidence to a grand jury concerning Alec Baldwin and the fatal shooting that took place on the set of RUST.
It’s unknown if the criminal charges against Baldwin will be revived.
“Special prosecutors initially dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April, saying they were informed the gun might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned,” USA Today reported. “They later pivoted after receiving a new analysis of the gun and will ask a grand jury to consider recharging Baldwin.”
USA Today added, “Baldwin, lead actor and co-producer of RUST, was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe in October 2021 when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the gun fired.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
