Baldwin insists that he bears no responsibility for the tragic events
Hollywood actor, Alec Baldwin has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter following the tragic shooting incident on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021.
The incident resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuries to director Joel Souza.
Baldwin, who was charged in January, insists that he bears no responsibility for the tragic events that unfolded that day.
He said that he did not pull the trigger on the firearm, which was intended for use in the film but that it discharged unexpectedly with live ammunition.
This allegedly contradicts the initial charges – which were dropped last April – prompting further investigation into new facts.
The actor now faces two alternative counts of involuntary manslaughter:
- one for the “negligent use of a firearm”
- the other for acting “without due caution or circumspection”
The jury will determine whether he is guilty of either, both, or neither over the course of this trial.
If convicted, Baldwin could face a jail sentence of up to 18 months. He is scheduled for a virtual arraignment in a Santa Fe, New Mexico state district court. Baldwin’s lawyers have already submitted a waiver and not guilty plea on his behalf.
The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) expressed concern, and a spokesperson said the charges were based on an “incorrect assessment of the actual duties of an actor.”
They emphasised that actors are not expected to be firearm experts and that the responsibility lies with trained professionals overseeing weapon use on set.
While Baldwin was not only a lead actor but also a producer on “Rust,” the charges focus solely on his role as an actor.
The film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is set to go on trial this month facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering.
Meanwhile, safety coordinator and assistant director Dave Halls, who allegedly handed Baldwin the loaded gun, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to six months’ probation.
An FBI report revealed a peculiar detail about the gun involved, stating that it could discharge without a trigger pull under specific conditions, shedding light on the complexity of the case.
