[ad_1]
The Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office is set to deliver a decision regarding who was at fault for shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a film set last year – with lead actor Alec Baldwin potentially facing criminal charges as a result.
The anticipated announcement from the Santa Fe’s First Judicial District Attorney’s Office is said to be coming in the next few weeks – and comes as part of the ongoing legal saga surrounding the shooting death on Baldwin’s Rust set in October 2021.
Hutchins was killed more than a year ago – killed by a live round inexplicably fired by actor on October 21, 2021. The Santa Fe set, overseen by Baldwin’s production company, was subsequently shut down and an investigation launched.
The cinematographer was shot by a gun Baldwin was holding, but the actor insists he didn’t pull the trigger and blames prop managers for not checking if the gun was loaded.
Criminal charges have yet to be filed – though a judge recently ruled that Hutchins’ family could move forward with a civil claim against Baldwin and El Dorado Pictures Inc, ruling that negligence from both parties led to the staffer’s death.
The Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office is set to deliver a decision regarding who was at fault for shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set last year – with lead actor Alec Baldwin potentially facing criminal charges as a result
The exact production site in California hasn’t been confirmed, but the Golden State has dozens of western film sets. Pictured: Bonanza Creek Ranch where Baldwin shot Hutchins
The local DA’s office had warned the deal will not impact its criminal investigation into the death and added: ‘No one is above the law.’
Months later, charges have yet to be leveled at Baldwin and other staffers who handled the gun before Hutchins’ death – though, according to a statement from the office given to TMZ Wednesday, that could change within the next few weeks.
Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on October 21 on the set of the movie
According to the outlet, the city’s DA, Mary Carmack-Altwies, is set to make an announcement about whether she’ll pursue criminal charges against those parties – which includes Baldwin and the film’s assistant director and armorer – by the end of the month.
Last year, in an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin said he did not believe he would face any criminal charges in the accident.
‘I’ve been told by people who are in the know, in terms of even inside the state, that it’s highly unlikely that I would be charged with anything criminally,’ he stated.
Among other documents released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office were accounts of interviews with witnesses including text messages and emails from crew and cast members sometimes detailing chaotic and acrimonious conditions on set prior to Hutchins’ death.
Baldwin speaks on the phone in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film
A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Fe following the October 2021 killing
The documents still offer no conclusive answers on how live ammunition got onto the movie set and into a replica Colt .45-caliber revolver that was fired by Baldwin and killed Hutchins.
Baldwin was handed the gun during a rehearsal at a ranch outside Santa Fe. A live round hit her and movie director Joel Souza, who survived.
Baldwin is among up to four people who may face criminal charges for the death of the cinematographer, New Mexico District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in September. Carmack-Altwies’ office had no comment on Friday.
Actor, Baldwin, has denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death and said live rounds should never have been allowed onto the set of the low-budget movie.
In this image from video released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Alec Baldwin stands in costume and speaks with investigators following a fatal shooting last year on the movie set
In police interviews and lawsuit filings, the film’s armorer, first assistant director, prop supplier and prop master all denied culpability for the shooting.
New Mexico’s worker safety agency in April fined the film’s production company the maximum amount possible for what it described as ‘willful’ safety lapses leading to Hutchins’ death.
An FBI report said five live bullets were found on a props trolley and in a bandolier and holster near the movie-set church where Hutchins was shot.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said it will release more files on the case by December 20.
Late last year, the local district attorney’s office said it will conduct a ‘thorough review of the information and evidence to make a thoughtful, timely decision about whether to bring charges.’
Last week Baldwin has filed a lawsuit against four people involved in the film saying they were negligent in providing him with a gun that discharged. Pictured, this aerial photo shows part of the Bonanza Creek Ranch film set in Santa Fe, New Mexico
The gun held by Baldwin ‘accidentally and unexpectedly discharged a live round, injuring director Joel Souza and leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins,’ the Baldwin/El Dorado lawyers further maintain in their court papers.
It has taken an entire year for the investigation into Hutchins’ death to be completed.
Baldwin and Hutchins on the set of Rust last year. He maintains he never pulled the trigger
During that time, several lawsuits have been filed in civil court including one filed by Hutchins’ widower, against Baldwin and the rest of the production.
He sued them for wrongful death, but they settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Matthew will now be a producer on the film, once it resumes production.
Baldwin is not the only person in the frame.
Among others who have been blamed for the shooting are armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who Baldwin claims didn’t check the gun properly, and Assistant Director Dave Halls.
By the time Halyna was killed, many of the film’s crew had walked off-set in protest over conditions and pay.
Baldwin was serving as a producer and starring actor in the movie.
Baldwin is shown buckled over in tears after being interviewed at the Sante Fe County Sheriff’s Office on October 21
On the anniversary of Hutchins’ death last week, the DA issued a warning to all of those involved.
‘On the anniversary of the tragedy on the Rust film set in Santa Fe County, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis remains committed to pursuing justice for the victims, and getting answers for the community.
‘As soon as the District Attorney receives the full report from the Santa Fe County Sheriff, she and her team of professional attorneys and investigators will thoroughly review all the evidence and make a thoughtful decision about whether to bring charges against those involved.
‘No one is above the law and every victim deserves justice,’ she warned.
[ad_2]
Source link
