Prosecutors have dropped charges against Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin, 64, who is accused of killing a cinematographer while using a prop gun with live ammunition on a movie set.
ABC reported on the 20th (local time) that Baldwin, who was indicted for manslaughter, was scheduled to have his first trial on May 3, but was not tried as the indictment was dropped.
“We are satisfied with the decision to drop the charges,” Baldwin’s attorneys said in a statement, and “recommend an appropriate investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.” The New Mexico prosecutor’s office prosecuting Baldwin declined to comment.
Baldwin fired a prop gun in October 2021 while filming the western film ‘Rust’ on the set of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cinematographer Halina Hutchins (42, female) died in the accident, and director Joel Souza (48) suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
New Mexico prosecutors indicted Baldwin and weapon props manager Hannah Coutierrez Reid in January of this year on charges of manslaughter.
Baldwin claimed he was not responsible for the incident, saying that Reed had not properly checked that the prop gun was loaded with live ammunition, and that assistant manager Dave Hall had told him that the gun in question was a cold gun. He also claimed that he did not pull the trigger himself, but that the gun must have fired due to a malfunction.
However, the prosecution saw that Baldwin could not avoid responsibility either. He said that as the end user of the actor’s firearm, he was obliged to make sure it was safe, and he should not have pulled the trigger at a person. The prosecution’s indictment contained information that Baldwin did not participate in firearms safety training before filming and did not pay attention during safety training afterward, such as talking on the phone with his family.
The family of the deceased cinematographer Hutchins filed a civil suit against Baldwin and the filmmakers, and settled the case in October last year.
The film production company announced that filming, which had been suspended after the accident, resumed at the set (Yellowstone Film Ranch) in Montana.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.