Topline
Actor Alec Baldwin on Thursday pleaded not guilty to two charges of involuntary manslaughter over the 2021 shooting death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust, according to court documents, ahead of a scheduled court appearance, which he waived.
Actor Alec Baldwin attends the Build Series to discuss “Motherless Brooklyn” at Build Studio on … [+]
Key Facts
In a waiver of his first appearance in court over the charges, which was scheduled for Friday and has been canceled, Baldwin submitted a plea of not guilty.
District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer set conditions for Baldwin’s release (he remains free): he must obey local and federal laws and maintain contact with his attorneys, and is not allowed to consume alcohol or possess a firearm or dangerous weapons.
Baldwin is not allowed to discuss the case with any potential witnesses, though he is allowed to have some contact with them—producers announced yesterday that production on Rust would resume this spring, and Baldwin will continue to star in the movie.
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is facing the same charges as Baldwin, has not waived her first appearance, which is also scheduled for Friday; she has not yet entered a plea.
Key Background
Baldwin has denied responsibility in the shooting, saying that even though the weapon was in his hand when it went off, he did not pull the weapon’s trigger and was told it was safe to use. Baldwin was charged last month with two charges of involuntary manslaughter. He faces up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were charged in the alternative, meaning that if they are found guilty, the jury will have to decide which definition of involuntary manslaughter they are guilty of. The charges differ in the level of negligence prosecutors must prove. Earlier this week, a firearm enhancement was dropped from the second charge for both defendants, which would have mandated they spend five years in jail, if found guilty. Production on Rust will resume this spring in Montana.
Further Reading
‘Rust’ Will Resume Filming This Spring With Alec Baldwin As The Star—Despite Manslaughter Charges (Forbes)
‘Rust’ Shooting: Alec Baldwin’s Charges Downgraded, Lessening Possible Prison Time (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/02/23/rust-shooting-alec-baldwin-pleads-not-guilty-to-involuntary-manslaughter-charges/