Alec Baldwin to Face Manslaughter Charge Over ‘Rust’ Shooting
Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust, Santa Fe County prosecutors announced on Thursday.
Baldwin Denies Blame: ‘Just Practising Cross Draw’
Baldwin insists he did nothing wrong. He says he was merely practising how to hold the pistol for a “cross draw” scene inside a chapel while director Joel Souza and Halyna Hutchins arranged camera angles.
Deadly Mix of Dummy and Live Rounds Found on Set
During the investigation, Santa Fe Sheriff’s detectives uncovered a dangerous mix of dummy and live bullets scattered across the Rust set. This breach of industry safety rules is key to the case. Carmack-Altwies, an investigator, said determining how the live rounds got there was “one of the most important factors” in deciding whether to press charges.
Wrongful Death Suit Settled Months Ago
Halyna Hutchins’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baldwin in February, blaming him as the “person holding the weapon.” The suit was quietly settled for an undisclosed sum in October.