Actor Alec Baldwin finds himself facing trial for involuntary manslaughter in the “Rust” shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
On Friday, a New Mexico grand jury indicted Alec Baldwin on one count of involuntary manslaughter following a closed hearing. This decision comes after special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis presented the evidence to the grand jury. If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison.
Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel responded to the indictment, stating, “We look forward to our day in court.”
While a trial date has not been set, it is evident that Baldwin’s legal team is prepared to defend their client vigorously.
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Prior to the grand jury’s indictment, discussions about a potential plea deal between Baldwin and the special prosecutors took place in October. However, these negotiations were ultimately rescinded, leading to the decision to bring the case before a grand jury.
It is worth noting that earlier this year, the same New Mexico prosecutors dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin.
Throughout the investigation and subsequent interviews, Baldwin has maintained his innocence. In conversations with ABC News and CNN, he consistently denied pulling the trigger and emphasized that the gun had been declared “cold” by assistant director Dave Halls, meaning it contained no live ammunition.
Baldwin believes that someone else must be held responsible for the tragedy. In an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, he stated, “I feel that someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me.”
Read: Prosecutors Seek To Recharge Alec Baldwin In Fatal ‘Rust’ Movie Set Shooting
The tragic events on the set of “Rust” have sent shockwaves throughout the film industry, prompting discussions about on-set safety and the responsibility of those involved.
This incident has highlighted the importance of strict protocols and comprehensive training when it comes to handling firearms on a film set.
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