Prosecutors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have ready the request to withdraw the charges against actor Alec Baldwind, accused of involuntary manslaughter due to the fatal shot during the filming of the western Rust, in October 2021, and which cost the life to cameraman and cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42.
The public prosecutors, whose office is run by prosecutor Mary Carmack-Altwies, had no comment, but there was a statement from the actor's lawyers. "We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage an investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident," according to a joint statement signed by attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro. A hearing is scheduled for this Friday.
Hutchins passed away on October 21, 2021 while filming the western at Bonanza Ranch. Baldwin was rehearsing a scene with a gun when the shot fired, killing the cinematographer and wounding the film's director, Joel Souza.
The case against the actor has been marked by controversy from the beginning, as well as the setbacks suffered by the accusers. The special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, already had to resign due to the defense's claims of conflict of interest. Reeb is also a state legislator, and this means that she holds two separate positions in different branches of government, so she should be removed from this indictment, the lawyers argued.
Carmack-Altwies itself stepped back last month and named two special prosecutors: attorneys Jason Lewis and Kari Morrissy.
Prosecutors were also forced to downgrade the potential sentencing request, as they wanted to apply an aggravated weapon possession penalty that was passed in the state after this incident occurred and therefore could not be used retroactively.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of the armory on set, is also charged in this matter, on the same charges.
A New Mexico judge was due to decide next month whether or not the manslaughter charges could go to trial. Baldwin, who signed an out-of-court agreement with the deceased's husband and son, pleaded not guilty.
In fact, he went so far as to say that he did not fire the vintage pistol, but that it was the weapon itself that was hammered, a matter that an FBI report ruled out.
The actor also maintained that he was not responsible for what happened because he was given a pistol with the comment that it lacked live fire bullets.
The filming of Rust restarted this Thursday, but in another setting. They have moved to Yellowstone. Joel Souza continues to direct, while as part of the deal with Baldwin, Matthew Hutchins, Halyna's widower, has been attached to the production.
