Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Daniel Bird & Kirsten McStay

Alec Baldwin to continue on in movie Rust after being charged with manslaughter

Alec Baldwin will continue filming the western film Rust, even after he was charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Halyna Hutchins.

The 64-year-old actor and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armourer were both charged with the death of Halyna, who was shot on the film's set in Sante Fe, New Mexico, writes The Mirror.

Halyna was injured after a prop gun, which Bladwin was holding, was discharged, and director Joel Souza was also injured.

However, a lawyer for Rust Movie Productions confirmed that filming for the western movie will continue and Baldwin will resume his role as the lead actor. Souza will also continue as the director.

Melina Spadone confirmed that after the tragic incident, filming going forward will feature "on-set safety supervisors and union crew members" and will "bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition".

Ms Spadone added that live ammunition is, and always was, prohibited on the set.

Just one week ago, the district attorney's office confirmed that both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be "charged in the alternative" with the two counts of manslaughter, meaning that a jury will decide not simply if they are guilty, but under which definition of involuntary manslaughter they are guilty.

Alec Baldwin will continue to star in Rust despite being charged with involuntary manslaughter (PA)

If they are found guilty by a jury, they could face 18 months behind bars.

The District Attorney has said that assistant director David Halls has signed a plea agreement for the charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The decision to charge Baldwin comes less than three months after the District Attorney's office received the final report from police in relation to the incident which ultimately led to the death of Halyna Hutchins.

District Attorney for New Mexico, Mary Carmack-Altwies said: "After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew.

"On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice."

But lawyers representing Baldwin have slammed the charge, claiming it is a miscarriage of justice.

In a statement shortly after the news, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel said: "This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.

"Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set.

"He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.