Alec Baldwin waives preliminary appearance in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting case

foxnews.com:

Alec Baldwin filed a waiver of appearance for next month’s preliminary hearing in the fatal on-set shooting of Halyna Hutchins.  "I understand that I am charged with the following offense or offenses under the law of the State of New Mexico: Involuntary Manslaughter … in two alternatives," the filing obtained by Fox News Digital read. "I understand that I am entitled to personally appear before the Court at every stage of the criminal proceedings. "After reading and understanding the above, I request that the Court permit me to waive a personal appearance in court for the following proceedings: PRELIMINARY HEARING," it concluded.

The judge in the case approved the waiver, meaning Baldwin will not have to physically appear at the Santa Fe County courthouse on May 3.The preliminary hearing in the case is expected to last two weeks.

Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Hutchins, who died on Oct. 21, 2021, after a gun that Baldwin was holding fired on the set of "Rust." The 65-year-old is also a producer on the film and has denied he pulled the trigger of the gun that killed Hutchins.

The actor also waived his first court appearance in February, which legal experts explained at the time was a "routine court proceeding." Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is also charged with involuntary manslaughter.