On January 19, 2024, Alec Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the tragic on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The charges include negligent use of a firearm and involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspection.
This legal development comes after Baldwin was initially charged in January 2023, only to have the involuntary manslaughter charge dropped in April of the same year. Baldwin's legal team, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas, expressed readiness for the upcoming legal proceedings.
The incident in question occurred during the filming of the movie 'Rust' when a gun Baldwin was handling discharged, resulting in the death of Halyna Hutchins. The fatal shot was fired as part of a scene rehearsal inside a small church on the Bonanza Creek Ranch. The firearm involved was later destroyed by the FBI during ballistics testing.
In a bid to dismiss the case, Baldwin's legal team raised concerns about the destruction of evidence. However, a judge ruled against this request, paving the way for the legal process to move forward.
The tragic on-set shooting incident has sparked discussions about safety protocols in the film industry and the responsibilities of individuals handling firearms on set. As the case progresses, it is expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the events that led to the untimely death of Halyna Hutchins.
