Alec Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter for Rust shooting by New Mexico grand jury
Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter by a New Mexico grand jury, more than two years after accidentally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his ill-fated western film Rust.
The indictment was returned on Friday and charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others' safety.
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
Previous charges, filed by New Mexico prosecutors, were dismissed in April last year.
n a statement today, Baldwin's attorneys Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas said: 'We look forward to our day in court.'
Gloria Allred, the attorney for Halyna's parents and sister, said in a statement: '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.
'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.
'The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter.
'We are looking forward to the criminal trial which will determine if he should be convicted for the untimely death of Halyna.'
Baldwin has always maintained that he followed gun safety laws, and that the fault lies with the armorer or crew who handed him a gun loaded with a live round.
He insists he confirmed that the gun was 'cold' when he took it to rehearse the scene in question.
Baldwin was practicing drawing the prop weapon from his holster when he claims it fired spontaneously.
He has always been adamant that he did not pull the trigger.
But a new report by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona states that the trigger 'had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.'
The long-drawn-out legal fiasco began with Hutchins' death in October.
Baldwin launched a media tour, insisting it was a tragic accident and not a killing he was responsible for.
He was initially charged in January 2023 by First Judicial District Attorney of New Mexico Mary Carmack-Altwies, who launched her own media tour soon after filing charges.
Baldwin's team interpreted her enthusiasm for the case as a fame-hungry effort to boost her own career.
After hashing it out with his team in the court of public opinion, Carmack-Altwies stepped down from the case and a special prosecutor was appointed to take over.
In April last year, that team opted to drop the charges and Baldwin, who had already settled a wrongful death lawsuit launched by Hutchins' family, breathed a momentary sigh of relief.
The scandal - now pinnacling with the fresh set of charges - has battered the actor's reputation and earning power.
In a video earlier this week, Baldwin appeared windswept on the beach in a real estate video to promote the sale of his Hamptons spread.
He is selling the property for $19million - $10million less than he first listed it. Many see it as a desperate cash grab to pay his growing legal bills.
The family is also believed to be filming a reality TV show.
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