Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty to New Charges

(DailyDig.com) – Actor Alec Baldwin of Hollywood fame has entered a not guilty plea to the charge of involuntary manslaughter, which involves the irresponsible use of a handgun, in relation to the death of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer.

During the rehearsal of a scene in “Rust,” 65-year-old Baldwin fatally shot Hutchins while practicing with his firearm. The film’s director, Joel Souza, also sustained injuries. In October 2021, filming began on the Western movie “Rust” in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Despite the dismissal of related charges in April of last year, two weeks before his trial, prosecutors in New Mexico had asserted the existence of fresh forensic evidence.

On January 31, the actor pleaded not guilty in court. Prosecutors in New Mexico announced new details about the shooting weapon after forensic testing on January 19, leading to his subsequent charges. If found guilty, Baldwin could face a minimum of 18 months or up to three years behind bars.

Baldwin insists he just pulled the hammer back from the Colt .45, not the trigger. Baldwin denies responsibility for Hutchins’ death, claiming he was unaware that the gun had live rounds and that the set was not meant to have any live ammunition.

In October, the New Mexico special prosecutors hired forensic specialists to repair the weapon after the FBI testing of the gun caused damage. The prosecutors said that by doing the repairs and then testing the repaired gun, they had shown that pulling the trigger was the only way the occurrence could have happened.

Despite Baldwin’s denials, the report’s conclusion indicates that pulling or pressing the trigger to a sufficient degree is the only way the revolver’s fully cocked or pulled hammer could have been released.

Baldwin has since said in court documents that he has had difficulty securing acting roles after the tragedy, adding to his expressions of shock and grief at Hutchins’ death.

While investigating, prosecutors threatened to re-file involuntary manslaughter charges after dropping them in April.