Alec Baldwin has formally declared his innocence in the involuntary manslaughter case related to the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in New Mexico. In a court filing on Wednesday, Baldwin entered a not guilty plea, forgoing the scheduled virtual arraignment set for Thursday.
As part of the conditions for his release, court documents specify that Baldwin is prohibited from possessing firearms. This legal development follows a grand jury indictment in January, charging the 65-year-old actor with involuntary manslaughter, a fourth-degree felony carrying a potential 18-month prison sentence upon conviction.
Baldwin’s legal team, comprised of Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro from Quinn Emanuel, responded to the indictment by expressing anticipation for their day in court. Notably, this marks the second time Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection to the on-set shooting.
Initially charged by Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies in January 2023, Baldwin pleaded not guilty at that time. However, following Carmack-Altwies’ departure from the case, newly appointed special prosecutors dropped charges against Baldwin in April 2023, just before a scheduled preliminary hearing, citing an ongoing investigation.
In October 2023, the special prosecutors asserted that they believed Baldwin had “criminal culpability” in the incident and intended to present the case to a grand jury for a determination of probable cause. The shooting occurred in October 2021 when Baldwin, practicing a cross-draw, unintentionally discharged a gun, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza.
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The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, also faced involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting and pleaded not guilty. Jury selection for Gutierrez’s trial is slated to commence on February 21 in Santa Fe County, with the trial expected to begin on February 22, lasting two weeks. Gutierrez’s legal team contends that she had sought additional firearms training for the set but was allegedly rebuffed.
