The criminal case against Hollywood star Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting of a camerawoman during a western shoot is to be dropped. This was announced by the actor’s lawyers. Baldwin accidentally shot and killed 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a revolver during a rehearsal for the western Rust in October 2021 and was subsequently charged with manslaughter.
“We are pleased with the decision to drop Alec Baldwin’s case,” Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, said Thursday. “We encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”
A year and a half after the incident, work on the film is set to resume. Filming resumed Thursday at a new location in Montana, Rust Movie Productions attorney Melina Spadone said. Special safety precautions would be taken.
The use of “functioning weapons and any form of ammunition” is prohibited on location, Spadone explained. “Live ammunition is – and has always been – prohibited on set.”
Hollywood star Alec Baldwin was presented with the gun, a Colt .45, with the words that the gun was “cold” – i.e. not loaded with live ammunition. In fact, it apparently mistakenly also contained a live bullet.
Baldwin had pleaded not guilty during the trial. The 65-year-old, known from films such as “The Hunt for Red October” and “The Blonde Temptation” as well as the series “30 Rock”, asserts that he could not have known that there was live ammunition in the Colt. He also assured that he had not pulled the trigger.
At the end of March, assistant director Dave Halls was sentenced to six months’ probation for negligent handling of a deadly weapon. The 63-year-old had pleaded guilty as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Baldwin had approved conditions from a New Mexico court for the completion of the film, including a gun and alcohol ban. A documentary will also be made about the completion of the film and the life of Halyna Hutchins.
