Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges

On Thursday, actor Alec Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.  The charge relates to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, which took place on the New Mexico film set in 2021 while making the western move “Rust.”

Baldwin made the plea while waiving a February 24th court date which was scheduled to be his first appearance in court.  The aim of the case was to ascertain how live ammunition got mixed up with dummy rounds and was not picked up by any of the crew.

Baldwin’s scheduled appearance was waived on condition that he does not drink alcohol or handle any guns. 

Baldwin has also been banned from discussing the case with any witnesses.  The judge wrote that The only interaction he is allowed to have with potential witnesses is “in connection with completing the ‘Rust’ movie,” and also any marketing activities directly related to the movie.

New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies in January charged Baldwin along with the movie’s armor expert, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for reported “reckless” and a failure to comply with safety protocol.

Prosecutors last week downgraded charges against Gutierrez-Reed and Baldwin, which removed the possibility of a 5-year prison sentence.

Baldwin’s defense team argued that he had been charged retroactively with a New Mexico firearms law that was signed into law after the shooting occurred.

Baldwin denies any responsibility for Hutchins’ death, stating that the onus was on Gutierrez-Reed to check the rounds that were loaded into his gun and assistant director Dave Halls who incorrectly informed him that it was a “cold gun.”  This is a an industry term which means that the gun is either not loaded or it’s loaded with dummy rounds.

Jason Bowles, who is a lawyer for Gutierrez-Reed, confirmed that she will make her first court appearance on Friday.

Gutierrez-Reed said the incident occurred due to either an intentional sabotage, Baldwin’s lack of gun experience and the director and assistant director’s refusal to bring in an weapons expert in her absence.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed face a maximum of 18 months in prison if they are found guilty.