Though still facing involuntary manslaughter charges, Alec Baldwin will not longer have to fear a five year prison sentence for the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. “In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr.
Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust film set,” Heather Brewer, spokesperson, New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney told Deadline this morning. “The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys,” tossing some distinct swipe at the contentious Baldwin and his lawyers.
After an extensive and FBI assisted investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office was released late last year, Baldwin and Reed were formally charged by Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies with two counts of involuntary manslaughter on January 31 over the October 21, 2021 shooting of Hutchins at Bonanza Creek Ranch.
The first hearing in the Rust case is set for February 24 with Baldwin and Reed scheduled to join virtually. Under New Mexico law, the first charge had lighter consequences as a fourth-degree felony, with sentencing of up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Read more on deadline.com