Alec Baldwin will appear in US court for the first time on February 24
Alec Baldwin will make his first appearance in US court on the death of Halyna Hutchins on February 24.
The Hollywood actor faces two counts of manslaughter stemming from an incident that occurred on the set of the movie Rust in October 2021.
He was formally charged by the Santa Fe district attorney’s office on Tuesday, along with the film’s armory, Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
In a probable cause statement, filed with the charges, the DA claimed Baldwin’s “reckless deviation from known standards, practices, and protocols” directly caused a fatal shooting.
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The Hollywood actor faces two counts of manslaughter stemming from an incident on the set of the movie Rust in October 2021 (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department/PA)
Baldwin will appear at Santa Fe Magistrates Court on February 24 at 10 a.m. local time to hear about his charges.
PA news agency understands that hearings can be virtual.
In its report, the DA alleges the actor displayed “intentional disregard” for the safety of others in the days leading up to the incident and was not present for “forced” firearm training.
Instead, he went through a 30-minute workout, during which he was distracted by a phone call to his family, the DA said.
The statement added that on the day of the shooting, there had been “no less than a dozen reckless acts or omissions” on set in the period prior to the incident.
Baldwin’s deviation from known standards, practices, and protocols directly caused Hutchins’ tragic death.Santa Fe . County District Attorney’s Office
“The evidence and statements recorded in this affidavit confirm multiple instances of Baldwin’s extreme recklessness or reckless inaction over a 10-day period,” the statement read.
“Evidence clearly shows that there were no incidents or issues that were addressed by Baldwin, either as an actor or as a producer, to reduce future recklessness incidents, correct behavior recklessness or correcting deficiencies in training.
“Baldwin’s deviation from known standards, practices, and protocols directly caused Hutchins’ tragic death.”
Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be “alternatively charged” with two counts of manslaughter, meaning the jury will decide not simply whether they are guilty but also according to the definition of involuntary manslaughter that they are guilty of. committed a crime, the DA’s office previously said.
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The first charge may be called involuntary manslaughter and requires proof of fundamental negligence.
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Baldwin will appear at Santa Fe Magistrates Court on February 24 at 10 a.m. local time for his impeachment hearing (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department/PA)
The charge also includes a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a firearm, which is likely to be consolidated as a matter of law.
The second charge is involuntary manslaughter in the performance of a lawful act, which requires proof that there was more than simple negligence related to death.
Under New Mexico law, both counts are 4th degree felonies and carry a penalty of up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 (£4,000) fine.
The second charge includes weapon improvement, or the addition of a mandatory penalty, which carries a penalty of five years’ mandatory imprisonment.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/alec-baldwin-to-make-first-us-court-appearance-on-february-24-42323865.html Alec Baldwin will appear in US court for the first time on February 24