American actor Alec Baldwin is facing a felony involuntary manslaughter charge after a grand jury indicted the actor in connection with the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie in New Mexico.
Defense attorneys for Baldwin indicate they’ll fight the charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months.
Baldwin can enter a formal plea with or without a court arraignment, setting in motion preparations for trial.
The Grand jury alleges Baldwin caused Hutchins’ death — either by negligence or “total disregard or indifference” for safety.
Baldwin has said he pulled back the gun’s hammer, but not the trigger, and the weapon fired.
But a recent analysis of the gun used by Baldwin from Lucien and Michael Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona concluded that “the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver.”
An earlier FBI report on the agency’s analysis of the gun found that, as is common with firearms of that design, it could go off without pulling the trigger if force was applied to an uncocked hammer.
Separately, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis are preparing for a February trial against “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
“His attorneys will certainly be watching the armorer’s trial closely,” said Los Angeles-based entertainment litigator and defense attorney Kate Mangels, who is not involved in the case.
“It could offer a preview of the prosecution’s approach and potential witness testimony.”
