Alec Baldwin can breathe a sigh of relief (at least for the time being) as the involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor have been dropped after the tragic accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust”. However, charges against the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will remain intact. She was charged with several criminal offenses, including involuntary manslaughter and reckless use of a firearm. Prosecutors have accused her of failing to properly check the firearm’s safety, and of providing inadequate training to the film’s crew on how to handle firearms.
“ ‘We cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form,’ special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis wrote in a statement. ‘We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and ongoing.’ ” Adam Klasfeld, Law & Crime Network
It is important to note that while Gutierrez-Reed had a responsibility to ensure that the weapons on set were safe, the responsibility for the shooting ultimately fell on Alec Baldwin, who was holding the firearm at the time. According to reports, the gun was handed to Baldwin by an assistant director, who had mistakenly believed that the firearm was safe to use. Gutierrez-Reed has maintained her innocence and stance that she was the sole person responsible for ensuring safety on the set.
In October 2022, Baldwin settled a wrongful death litigation suit brought against him by Hutchins’ family, in particular, Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s surviving husband. However, in February 2023, another wrongful death suit was filed against him by other family members who were not included in the first lawsuit, namely her parents and sister. These family members are being represented by Gloria Allred.
Baldwin’s attorneys have tried to have the second civil suit dismissed with prejudice claiming that the plaintiffs had distanced themselves “physically, emotionally, and financially” from Hutchins years before death. (To dismiss with prejudice means plaintiffs cannot file the claim again in the future in the same court or the under the same grounds.) Under New Mexico law, where the tragedy unfolded, a “sufficiently close relationship” must be proven. In California, a plaintiff for a wrongful death suit must be a surviving spouse, domestic partner, or child.
Sources
Alec Baldwin’s case may have epically collapsed, but charges against ‘Rust’ armorer are very much alive
Alec Baldwin Wants Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed By Halyna Hutchins’ Family Dismissed With Prejudice
Image courtesy of Pashi