‘There’s nothing we can do to bring his mother back’: Alec Baldwin on Rust movie shooting
Alec Baldwin is reportedly still planning to continue production on Rust, despite the news that he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set.
Prior to New Mexico prosecutors announcing the charges facing Baldwin, the actor had confirmed filming would resume in January.
Now, even amid these recent developments, the movie remains on track to be completed with Baldwin in the lead role and Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, returning to direct, a person with knowledge of the project told The New York Times.
Baldwin is one of three cast and crew members facing charges over the accidental shooting
The first assistant director on Rust, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Meanwhile, the film’s armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Thursday’s decision comes more than 15 months after the fatal October 2021 shooting, when a gun held by Baldwin discharged on set. A single bullet struck Souza in the shoulder before fatally striking Hutchins in the chest.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was told the gun was “cold”.
How much time will Baldwin serve?
While involuntary manslaughter is less severely punished than other forms of homicide, it’s still a serious crime.
So, with Baldwin facing two charges of involuntary manslaughter, how much time, if any, will he serve in prison?
Alec Baldwin Set Shooting
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’
Inga Parkel20 January 2023 19:00
SAG-AFTRA condemns Baldwin’s charges in blistering statement
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the labour union representing Baldwin and a majority of other entertainers, has spoken out in defence of the actor, who’s facing involuntary manslaughter charges.
In a statement released on Thursday (19 January), SAG-AFTRA called the 2021 fatal shooting a preventable “tragedy”. However, they argued, “it is not a failure of duty or a criminal act on the part of any performer”.
Labelling the prosecutor’s “contention” as “wrong and uninformed”, they wrote that it is not “an actor’s job” to be a “firearms or weapons expert”.
Inga Parkel20 January 2023 18:30
Hilaria Baldwin sports ‘empathy’ shirt after Baldwin faces charges
The day after New Mexico prosecutors announced the involuntary manslaughter charges facing Baldwin, his wife Hilaria, 39, was seen leaving their Manhattan apartment building, with two cups of coffee in hand.
On Friday (20 January), Hilaria, the mother of Baldwin’s seven children, was photographed sporting a green shirt with the word “empathy” emblazoned across the front, in new pictures taken by DailyMail.
Inga Parkel20 January 2023 18:00
Plans to continue Rust production remain in place
Before it was announced that Alec Baldwin would be facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, the actor had confirmed that he and the crew had plans to continue filming the Western movie.
However, even amid Thursday’s decision made by New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, plans to continue production remain, a person with knowledge of the project told The New York Times.
Although, this time, on-set safety supervisors and union crew members are said to be joining the project, while all use of working weapons or form of live ammunition, including blanks, will be barred.
Baldwin will still serve as the film’s lead and Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, will return as director.
Inga Parkel20 January 2023 17:20
Halyna Hutchins’ husband says charges are a ‘comfort to the family’
In a statement issued after the announcement of the charges, Matt Hutchins said: “ We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
Jacob Stolworthy20 January 2023 15:00
Former prosecutors and attorneys respond to ‘bold’ and ‘aggressive’ charges
The Independent’s Graeme Massie spoke with former prosecutors and attorneys about their thoughts on the charges being brought against Alec Baldwin.
Jacob Stolworthy20 January 2023 14:30
Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is “no way in hell” he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.
He wrote: “I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someone’s movie set. It’s a terrible tragedy what happened to a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.
Jacob Stolworthy20 January 2023 14:00
ICYMI: Screen Actors Guild issues statement on Baldwin facing charges
“The prosecutor’s contention that an actor has a duty to ensure the functional and mechanical operation of a firearm on a production set is wrong and uninformed. An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,” read the actors guild’s statement, without naming Baldwin.
And the statement continued: “The Industry Standards for safety with firearms and use of blank ammunition are clearly laid out in Safety Bulletin 1, provided by the Joint Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Commission. The guidelines require an experienced, qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set. These duties include “inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence,” and “checking all firearms before each use.”
“The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer.”
Graeme Massie20 January 2023 13:30
Alec Baldwin: A history of the actor’s career and life
Alec Baldwin has had a career in TV and film for more than three decades. He is best known for his roles in 30 Rock, and has had roles in Beetlejuice, Glengarry Glen Ross and The Departed. He has also received acclaim for his impression of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live.
Here, The Independent’s Ellie Harrison takes a look at his career highlights and lowlights.
Graeme Massie20 January 2023 13:00
ICYMI: Alec Baldwin will ‘fight’ manslaughter charges as lawyer blasts ‘miscarriage of justice’
Prosecutors announced Thursday that Baldwin will face two counts of involuntary manslaughter over Hutchins’s death on the movie set of Rust.
In a statement to The Independent, attorney Luke Nikas said: “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.
Read the full story by Bevan Hurley here:
Maroosha Muzaffar20 January 2023 12:30
