Alec Baldwin is once again facing criminal charges related to the fatal 2021 ‘Rust’ shooting, a case that had previously been dropped in April 2023. The 65-year-old actor pleaded not guilty to a new charge of involuntary manslaughter concerning the tragic incident on the set of Rust.
Baldwin entered his plea by waiving his right to an arraignment, as indicated in New Mexico court documents filed in Santa Fe County court. A New Mexico grand jury indicted the actor for the second time on January 19.
According to the court documents, Baldwin has been released on personal recognizance, subject to certain conditions. These conditions include compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, prohibition from possessing firearms or dangerous weapons, abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and obtaining written court permission for international travel.
While Baldwin can promote Rust, he is restricted from discussing the accident with anyone involved in the production who may testify or the alleged victim(s).
Previously charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, Baldwin saw the criminal case against him delayed when charges were dropped three months later. The new charges include involuntary manslaughter for negligent use of a firearm or involuntary manslaughter without due caution or circumspection.
If convicted under the new charge, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison according to New Mexico law. His lawyers, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel expressed anticipation for their day in court following the January 19 indictment.
The fatal incident occurred on the Rust set in 2021 when Baldwin, holding a prop gun, discharged it unintentionally, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuries to director Joel Souza. Baldwin maintains that he was unaware the gun contained a live bullet and denies pulling the trigger.
SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, has publicly defended Baldwin in response to the latest charges, stating that assessing an actor’s duty to inspect a firearm on set is incorrect. They emphasized that an actor’s responsibility does not extend to being a firearms expert and highlighted the presence of multiple professionals overseeing firearm use on set.
Hutchins’ family’s attorney, Gloria Allred, responded to SAG-AFTRA’s statement, asserting that an actor should be responsible for discharging a weapon on a movie set. She emphasized respecting the grand jury’s decision to indict and allowing the criminal justice system to proceed to trial based on the case’s merits.
In addition to Baldwin, Rust on-set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, previously charged with involuntary manslaughter, entered a not-guilty plea in August and is scheduled to stand trial in February.