Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to involuntary manslaughter & waives right to appear in court over Halyna Hutchins death
ALEC Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The actor, who was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month, also waived his right to appear in court.
The not-guilty plea comes just a day before Baldwin, 65, was scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges.
This is the second time Baldwin has been charged concerning Hutchins's death after the initial charges were dropped in April 2023.
However, prosecutors filed new charges after obtaining evidence based on more forensic testing done on the weapon.
Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot in La Cienega, New Mexico during an on-set rehearsal for the Western film, Rust.
The film's director, Joel Souza, was also shot in the shoulder by the same bullet.
Baldwin has maintained that he didn't pull the trigger, however, the testing ordered by special prosecutors, Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis, concluded that the Colt. 45 could have only been fired by the pull of the trigger.
Baldwin is facing a prison sentence of 18 months to three years if found guilty.
"The above-named defendant did cause the death of Halyna Hutchins by an act committed with the total disregard or indifference to the safety of others, and the act was such that an ordinary person would anticipate that death might occur under the circumstances," read the grand jury indictment from January 19.
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The new charges include involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm), a lesser charge from the original indictment, and involuntary manslaughter (without due caution or circumspection).
Due to Baldwin's plea and waiver of arraignment, the hearing planned for Thursday has now been canceled.
Baldwin is free without bail, however, New Mexico Judge T. Glenn Ellington has laid out conditions he must abide by.
"Defendant is permitted to have contact with potential witnesses only in the capacity laid out herein: In connection with the 'Rust movie and other related and unrelated business matters: provided, however, that Defendant is not permitted to discuss the accident at issue, or the substance of his or the witness’s potential testimony in this case. 'Related business matters' is designed to capture promoting the movie and other similar activities," read the judge's statement.
"'Unrelated business matters' is designed to capture other business relationships between Baldwin and any of the witnesses. The Defendant is permitted to continue to utilize Matthew DelPiano as his agent. Discussion about the incident is permitted with the witnesses who are named as civil codefendants only so long as such conversations are held exclusively in the presence of attorneys for civil litigation purposes."
Baldwin must also not "directly or indirectly solicit witnesses or members of the cast and crew to participate in the documentary with Moxie films or to obtain statements regarding safety on the 'Rust' set outside of standard investigative procedures."
Baldwin, the main star and producer of Rust, has said that he wasn't responsible for Hutchins's death, saying he was told the gun didn't have any live rounds.
"Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021," said Gloria Allred, who is representing Hutchins's family.
"They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit for them and they also would like there to be accountability in the criminal justice system."
'TERRIBLE ACCIDENT'
Hutchins's widower, Matthew Hutchins filed a wrongful death lawsuit after the shooting but settled in October 2022.
Matthew Hutchins has said in the past that he doesn't blame Baldwin for the shooting.
"I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin)," he said after the settlement.
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"All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work."
The filming for Rust was completed, with additional filming in Montana, and is waiting to be distributed as a tribute to Hutchins.
