Alec Baldwin Charged

[George K]

Baker is fun...

Link to video

"I don't see how Hutchins was killed by a gun that was supposed to be a prop without negligence."

Yeah....

[George K]

tl;dw

Baldwin should have said exactly one thing: "Lawyer."

Everything else he said can, AND WILL, be held against him.

Baker's analysis is damning.

[George K]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alec-baldwin-may-face-involuntary-manslaughter-charge-rust-shooting-pr-rcna104138?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma&taid=652ec057d1045700016a3fc7&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

New Mexico prosecutors intend to recharge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal 2021 “Rust” shooting, two sources familiar with the matter tells NBC News.

The source adds that Baldwin’s case will be brought before a grand jury in mid-November. There had been recent discussions of a plea deal, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

NBC News has reached out to the special prosecutors assigned to the case as well as Baldwin’s attorneys for comment.

This charge could carry up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

This latest news comes 5 months after special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis dismissed this same charge against Baldwin citing “new facts” in the case. At the time they released a statement reserving the right to re-charge Baldwin stating, “This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled.”

The case centers on an incident on the “Rust” film set in October 2021, in which Baldwin’s prop gun fired a live round of ammunition, killing the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

Baldwin has maintained in interviews with both ABC News and CNN that he did not pull the trigger.

“I feel that someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” Baldwin said in an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos in December 2021.

When the involuntary manslaughter charges were dropped earlier this year, prosecutors said the gun might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned. A gun analysis report commissioned by the special prosecutors released in August found that the gun had not been modified.

[Mik]

I'm pretty sure he pulled the trigger. But I still don't see how he can reasonably be held accountable for the very clear failure of others on the set who were charged with preparing the props.

[George K]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/rust-armorer-fair-shot-trial-1235823841/

[George K]

I'm watching Guiterrez-Reed's trial.

It's at the end of the first week, and the state still hasn't rested. The testimony against her, and, for that matter, so many people on the set is damning. It's amazing to hear how unprofessional her behavior was.

An experienced armorer talks about firearm safety on set and finds a TON of potentially dangerous situations:

[George K]

Saw a lawyer talking about the charges and discussing the defense's motion to drop charges.

He says the state's responsibilities are to prove, beyond the reasonable doubt, the following things:

1. Alec Baldwin pointed the muzzle of what he knew to be a real gun at Hutchins.
2. Alec Baldwin pressed the trigger in a manner to fire the gun with the hammer cocked.
3. Baldwin failed to check that there was no live ammunition in the gun.
4. The unintended discharge of the firearm killed Hutchins.

That's it.

According to New Mexico law "I didn't know it was loaded" is not a defense, and it's been adjudicated in the past in New Mexico's Supreme Court. Court said it made no difference as to who loaded the gun.

[Horace]

If you get unlucky and accidentally kill someone in an extraordinary circumstance, and there exists prosecutor motivation to convict you of a substantial crime, then they can probably file some charges and craft some jury instructions around those charges such that you're going to prison.

[Jolly]

Law based on emotion or a driving need to find somebody "guilty" is bad law.

[George K]

Gutierrez-Reed gets 18 months (the maximum) for involuntary manslaughter.

This is bad for Baldwin.

[jon-nyc]

[Doctor Phibes]

Nothing died during the posting of this Tweet, although the English language sure took a bit of a beating.

[George K]

It's more than just 18 months.

The judge had the option to jail her for 12 months in a jail, not prison, and no felony on her record. She didn't do that, the judge gave her the (surprisingly short) maximum sentence of 18 months - in prison.

Also, she is classified as a "violent offender." That means that, in New Mexico, she has to serve 85% of the sentence - even with time off for good behavior. So, at least 15 months, 1 week.

The judge looked pissed.

[Horace]

I wonder if the judge felt more feels about her behavior than the feels she feels about more common violent offenses like rape and murder.

[LuFins Dad]

What are the charges Baldwin faces? His role as producer plays a part in this in addition to being the guy that actually pulled the trigger. If the actions of the armorer were that blatantly dangerous? Then he bears responsibility for allowing that culture on his set.

[Renauda]

@George-K

The judge looked pissed.

At what? The crime? The professional negligence that resulted in a death? Or the attitude that went along with the negligence?

I don’t know as I haven’t followed the trial.

[Mik]

Well, it's kind of a 'you had ONE JOB' scenario. That she would even have allowed live ammunition on a movie set is pretty unbelievable.

[George K]

@Mik said in Alec Baldwin Charged:

Well, it's kind of a 'you had ONE JOB' scenario.

Actually, she had two jobs - she was also on the crew that took care of props other than firearms. One of her arguments (faulty as it was) is that there was too much pressure to do everything properly and safely.

That she would even have allowed live ammunition on a movie set is pretty unbelievable.

Still unanswered is how that happened. She claims to have been unaware, though there are multiple reports of cast and crew enjoying "extracurricular" shooting with live ammo. But, you're right it was her job to make sure the gun was safe. She was not on set when the gun was handed to Baldwin. Someone else did that (a woman named "Zachary," iirc) who ended up testifying for the state.

[Renauda]

@Mik

Yes, I can see that, she had one job. The negligence leading to the shooting is reprehensible as it is unacceptable.

[George K]

The judge. "You were the armorer. You alone are responsible for turning a safe weapon into a lethal weapon. But for you, a husband would have his wife, and a little boy his mother."

Note, this is the same prosecutor who is teeing up the Baldwin case.

And that will be before the same judge.

ETA: Go to 2:07.

Link to video