by Alec Baldwin will finish filming the western Rust, despite a decision to prosecute director of photography Halyna Hutchins in the shooting death on set.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 64, US actor and film’s gunsmith, will be charged with manslaughter in connection with Hutchins’ death on the set of the movie in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Ms. Hutchins was killed in October 2021 when a propeller gun held by Baldwin was fired. Rust director Joel Souza was also injured in a gunfight at Bonanza Creek Ranch.
Rust Movie Productions’ attorney, Melina Spadone, confirmed that the film is “on track to completion with Mr. Baldwin in the lead role and Joel Souza returning as director”.
The project will include “set safety supervisors and union crew members” and “prohibit the use of working weapons or any munitions,” he confirmed.
Ms Spadone added that real ammunition is prohibited on set and is always prohibited.
Last week, the district attorney’s office confirmed that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be “alternately charged” with two separate counts of manslaughter, meaning that the jury will decide not only whether they are guilty but also according to what definition of willful manslaughter they are. guilty.
The initial charge may be termed manslaughter and requires proof of underlying negligence.
This charge also includes a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a firearm, which is likely to be compounded by law.
The second charge is manslaughter during the commission of a lawful act that requires evidence of more than simple negligence.
Under New Mexico law, both charges are punishable by a fourth-degree felony and up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 (£4,000) fine.
The second charge involves developing a firearm, which punishes the crime with a mandatory five-year prison sentence.
Assistant director David Halls also signed a plea agreement on charges of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb are expected to file formal charges with the New Mexico First District Criminal Court before the end of the month.
Luke Nikas, of Baldwin’s attorney Quinn Emanuel at the time, said the decision to prosecute was “a dreadful judicial error”.
“Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe that there were live bullets in the gun or anywhere on the film set.
“Trusting the professionals he worked with, he assured me that the gun had no real bullets. We will fight these charges and we will win.”
