Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter

Alec Baldwin

New Mexico prosecutors have charged Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter, accusing him of skipping the "required firearms training" and creating "a climate of recklessness" on the set of Rust. First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced that along with the actor-producer, armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has also been charged for the same in connection with the October 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Moreover, assistant director David Halls was charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon and has already agreed to plead no contest.

Special investigator Robert Shilling wrote in a probable cause statement, that prosecutors have evidence showing Baldwin "was not present for the required firearms training prior to the commencement of filming." Prosecutors added that during another training session scheduled on the set, the one-hour seminar lasted only 30 minutes as Baldwin was "distracted and talking on his cell phone to his family during the training." Shilling wrote that as the film's producer, Baldwin failed to hold enough safety meetings, which "resulted in a climate of recklessness as evidenced by the conduct of the cast and crew documented through statements and evidence."

Also Read: Charges filed against Alec Baldwin for 'Rust' firing 'accident'; could face 5 yrs in jail

The case is expected to go through a preliminary hearing in which prosecutors will have to show a judge they have enough evidence to warrant a trial. The proceedings could begin by early May.

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