The family of Halyna Hutchins have responded to news that Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Hutchins, as confirmed by the New Mexico District Attorney’s office earlier today (19 January).
Baldwin, 64, was on the Sante Fe set of the film Rust when the gun he was pointing at a camera went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Both Baldwin and the film’s armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the death, with New Mexico District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies saying: "After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew.
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"On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
In the wake of the news, a statement from the Hutchins family said they were in support of the charges, which came as a ‘comfort’.
Her husband Matt’s attorney Brian Panish, speaking on behalf of the family, said: "We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges of involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life.
"Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law.
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“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."
Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said the charges represented ‘a terrible miscarriage of justice’, saying the decision ‘distorts’ Hutchins’ tragic death.
“Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set,” Nikas said.
“He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”
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Following the filing of charges, each defendant will be issued a summons with the charging information.
They will be required to make a first appearance at court shortly after, which can be done virtually.
After the first appearance, there will be a preliminary hearing where the District Attorney and the special prosecutor will present their case to the judge, who will then rule whether there is probable cause to move forward with a trial.
Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, US News
Jess Hardiman