Yahoo News Alec Baldwin news – live: Hollywood backs actor in wake of Rust shooting involuntary manslaughter charges
As Alec Baldwin faces charges of involuntary manslaughter over the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Rust set, SAG-AFTRA and fellow actor Mickey Rourke have defended him.
The first assistant director on Rust, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Meanwhile, the film’s armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Even amid the recent developments, continued production on Rust remains, a person with knowledge of the project told The New York Times.
Baldwin will still serve as the film’s lead and Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, will return as director.
Thursday’s decision comes more than 15 months after the fatal October 2021 shooting, when a gun held by Baldwin discharged on set. A single bullet struck Souza in the shoulder before fatally striking Hutchins in the chest.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was told the gun was “cold”.
Key points
SAG-AFTRA condemns Baldwin’s charges in blistering statement
Mickey Rourke defends Baldwin over charges
Alec Baldwin vows to ‘fight’ involuntary manslaughter charges
Read the DA’s reasons for charging Alec Baldwin in full
Alec Baldwin tweets about David Crosby’s death hours after being charged in Rust shooting
‘A really fast and loose set’
01:34 , Graeme Massie
In an interview with CNN, New Mexico first judicial district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies explained how she had come to charge Alec Baldwin and armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter.
She explained that just because a fatal shooting was accidental, as was the case in Halyna Hutchins’ death, didn’t mean that no one could be held criminally liable.
“There was such a lack of safety and safety standards on that set… There were live rounds on set,” she told CNN.
“Nobody was checking those or at least they weren’t checking them consistently. And then they somehow got loaded into a gun handed off to Alec Baldwin. He didn’t check it.
“He didn’t do any of the things that he was supposed to do to make sure that he was safe or that anyone around him was safe. And then he pointed the gun at Halyna Hutchins and he pulled the trigger.”
Ms Carmack-Altwies described the production as “a really fast and loose set”.
Why is Baldwin facing charges of involuntary manslaughter?
01:00 , Inga Parkel
“No ono is above the law,” New Mexico’s DA said.
Read the DA’s full statement, explaining the reasons for the charges below...
Read the DA’s reasons for charging Alec Baldwin in full
‘The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set,’ special prosecutor says
Mickey Rourke defends Baldwin over new charges
00:00 , Inga Parkel
Fellow actor Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), has spoken out in support of Baldwin over the recent charges facing the Beetlejuice star.
Rourke wrote that there was “no way in hell” Baldwin should be “charged with any negligence whatsoever”.
Read more here:
Mickey Rourke says it’s ‘terribly, terribly wrong’ to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting
‘To lay a blame on him is terribly, terribly wrong,’ actor said
23:00 , Inga Parkel
The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe looks at how the conversations surrounding Baldwin’s Rust shooting, are distracting us from something far more dangerous.
Read here:
The controversy over Alec Baldwin and Rust dangerously misses the point
America’s real Wild West is not film sets of westerns, it is our schools, streets, shops, and places of worship
What is Baldwin’s net worth?
22:00 , Inga Parkel
At the moment, Baldwin’s net worth is estimated to be around $70m (£57m). This sum is an accumulated amount from his entire earnings throughout his career.
The 64-year-old actor has appeared in numerous films and TV shows over a five-decade period. In that time, he’s also published two books and currently hosts the podcast Here’s the Thing, which he started in 2011.
How many children does Baldwin have?
21:00 , Inga Parkel
Baldwin has eight children in total. He shares his eldest daughter Ireland, 27, with his first wife, actor Kim Basinger, whom he divorced after nine years of marriage in 2002.
The 64-year-old actor and his wife Hilaria, 39, of 10 years, share seven children: Carmen, nine, Rafael, seven, Leonardo, six, Romeo, four, Eduardo, two, Lucia, two, and Ilaria, three months.
Alec Baldwin spotted for first time since facing charges
20:00 , Inga Parkel
On Friday (20 January) morning, Baldwin was seen in public for the first time since it was announced on Thursday that he would be charged with involuntary manslaughter by the end of January.
The actor was shown hiding his face behind mail while entering a midtown Manhattan building, in photos taken by DailyMail.
After making a quick escape, his wife Hilaria spoke to the reporters outside of their apartment building. She was pictured wearing a green sweatshirt, emblazoned with the word “empathy” across the front.
Hilaria tells reporters to ‘go home’ and ‘leave my family in peace’
19:30 , Inga Parkel
Speaking to a swarm of reporters following her on Friday (20 January) morning, Hilaria asked that “on a human level” they leave her “family in peace”.
Reminding them that she and Baldwin have seven children, she told reporters that their presence was “not good”.
“Please, leave my family in peace and let this all play out,” Hilaria said.
Hilaria Baldwin speaks out about cameras following her family after her husband Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter. @NEWSMAX #Baldwin pic.twitter.com/YNgHywNmZu
— Mike Carter (@MikeCarterTV) January 20, 2023
How much time will Baldwin serve?
19:00 , Inga Parkel
While involuntary manslaughter is less severely punished than other forms of homicide, it’s still a serious crime.
So, with Baldwin facing two charges of involuntary manslaughter, how much time, if any, will he serve in prison?
Read here:
What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean – and what’s next
The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’
SAG-AFTRA condemns Baldwin’s charges in blistering statement
18:30 , Inga Parkel
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the labour union representing Baldwin and a majority of other entertainers, has spoken out in defence of the actor, who’s facing involuntary manslaughter charges.
In a statement released on Thursday (19 January), SAG-AFTRA called the 2021 fatal shooting a preventable “tragedy”. However, they argued, “it is not a failure of duty or a criminal act on the part of any performer”.
Labelling the prosecutor’s “contention” as “wrong and uninformed”, they wrote that it is not “an actor’s job” to be a “firearms or weapons expert”.
Hilaria Baldwin sports ‘empathy’ shirt after Baldwin faces charges
18:00 , Inga Parkel
The day after New Mexico prosecutors announced the involuntary manslaughter charges facing Baldwin, his wife Hilaria, 39, was seen leaving their Manhattan apartment building, with two cups of coffee in hand.
On Friday (20 January), Hilaria, the mother of Baldwin’s seven children, was photographed sporting a green shirt with the word “empathy” emblazoned across the front, in new pictures taken by DailyMail.
Plans to continue Rust production remain in place
17:20 , Inga Parkel
Before it was announced that Alec Baldwin would be facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, the actor had confirmed that he and the crew had plans to continue filming the Western movie.
However, even amid Thursday’s decision made by New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, plans to continue production remain, a person with knowledge of the project told The New York Times.
Although, this time, on-set safety supervisors and union crew members are said to be joining the project, while all use of working weapons or form of live ammunition, including blanks, will be barred.
Baldwin will still serve as the film’s lead and Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, will return as director.
14:30 , Jacob Stolworthy
Former prosecutors and attorneys respond to ‘bold’ and ‘aggressive’ charges
The Independent’s Graeme Massie spoke with former prosecutors and attorneys about their thoughts on the charges being brought against Alec Baldwin.
Full story below.
What do legal experts say ‘bold’ charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?
14:00 , Jacob Stolworthy
Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is “no way in hell” he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.
He wrote: “I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someone’s movie set. It’s a terrible tragedy what happened to a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.
Read more here.
Mickey Rourke says it’s ‘terribly, terribly wrong’ to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting
ICYMI: Screen Actors Guild issues statement on Baldwin facing charges
13:30 , Graeme Massie
“The prosecutor’s contention that an actor has a duty to ensure the functional and mechanical operation of a firearm on a production set is wrong and uninformed. An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,” read the actors guild’s statement, without naming Baldwin.
And the statement continued: “The Industry Standards for safety with firearms and use of blank ammunition are âclearly laid out âin Safety Bulletin 1, provided by theâ Jointâ Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Commission. The guidelines require an experienced, qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set. These duties include “inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence,” and “checking all firearms before each use.”
“The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers âtrain to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be âgiven training and guidance in its safe handlinâg and use,â but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer.”
What does it mean to be charged with involuntary manslaughter?
13:01 , Graeme Massie
Read our explanation on what today’s charges mean – and what the expected sentence for involuntary manslaughter is.
Alec Baldwin: What is involuntary manslaughter and the expected sentence?
Halyna Hutchins's life and career
12:05 , Graeme Massie
Halyna Hutchins was born Halyna Anatoliivna Androsovych in 1979 in the Ukrainian village of Horodets.
She grew up on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle, later attending Kyiv National University and graduating with a degree in international journalism. She then pursued her first career, working as an investigative journalist for British documentary productions in eastern Europe.
Hutchins first became interested in film while living at the military base. It was after her work as an investigative journalist that she decided to move to Los Angeles to focus on filmmaking, initially working in various production assistant roles and as a grip electric, while working on shooting short films.
The Independent’s Ellie Muir has more on Hutchins’ biography.
Halyna Hutchins: The cinematographer’s life and career
What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean – and what’s next
11:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’. Clémence Michallon writes about what comes next:
What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean – and what’s next
As Baldwin faces charges, gun safety on sets 'gets louder'
10:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Film production and firearms experts say movie sets probably changed permanently when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the remote New Mexico set of the Western “Rust” 14 months ago, leading to the announcement from prosecutors Thursday that Alec Baldwin and the film’s weapons supervisor will be charged with involuntary manslaughter later this month.
As Baldwin faces charges, gun safety on sets 'gets louder'
‘Bold’ and ‘aggressive’: What legal experts say about Alec Baldwin charging decision over Rust shooting
09:25 , Maroosha Muzaffar
A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called “bold” and “aggressive” by legal experts.
The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on Thursday.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movie’s armourer, is expected to be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.
What do legal experts say ‘bold’ charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?
What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean – and what’s next
07:04 , Graeme Massie
The actor faces involuntary manslaughter charges over the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’.
What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean – and what’s next
Screen Actors Guild issues statement on Baldwin facing charges
06:26 , Graeme Massie
“The prosecutor’s contention that an actor has a duty to ensure the functional and mechanical operation of a firearm on a production set is wrong and uninformed. An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,” read the actors guild’s statement, without naming Baldwin.
And the statement continued: “The Industry Standards for safety with firearms and use of blank ammunition are âclearly laid out âin Safety Bulletin 1, provided by theâ Jointâ Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Commission. The guidelines require an experienced, qualified armorer to be put in charge of all handling, use, and safekeeping of firearms on set. These duties include “inspecting the firearm and barrel before and after every firing sequence,” and “checking all firearms before each use.”
“The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers âtrain to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect. Anyone issued a firearm on set must be âgiven training and guidance in its safe handlinâg and use,â but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer.”
Alec Baldwin will ‘fight’ manslaughter charges as lawyer blasts ‘miscarriage of justice’
05:01 , Graeme Massie
Alec Baldwin’s lawyer has described the involuntary manslaughter charges over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins as a “terrible miscarriage of justice”.
Prosecutors announced Thursday that Baldwin will face two counts of involuntary manslaughter over Hutchins’ death on the movie set of Rust.
In a statement to The Independent, attorney Luke Nikas said: “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.
Full story below.
Alec Baldwin’s lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter charges
What legal experts say about Alec Baldwin charging decision over Rust shooting
04:01 , Graeme Massie
A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called “bold” and “aggressive” by legal experts.
The Independent’s Graeme Massie has the story.
What do legal experts say ‘bold’ charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?
Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of ‘Hollywood arrogance’ amid Rust shooting charges
03:00 , Bevan Hurley
“There was no doubt that it was an accident but Halyna Hutchins died, leaving behind a grief-stricken husband and a young child and the person holding the gun that fired a bullet and killed her was Alec Baldwin,” said Piers Morgan on social media.
“It was him who did that, who fired a bullet into his co-worker’s body and snuffed out her life. Nobody else’s hands were anywhere near the gun.”
Read Annabel Nugent’s full story.
Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of ‘Hollywood arrogance’ amid Rust shooting charges
Halyna Hutchins’ final words after being shot on Alec Baldwin’s Rust set
02:00 , Bevan Hurley
Witnesses have revealed Halyna Hutchins’s last words in the moments after she was shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie Rust.
Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film, died on 21 October 2021 after Mr Baldwin discharged a firearm while practising a gun-drawing technique on the set in New Mexico.
Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: “That was no good. That was no good at all,” according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.
Full story below.
Halyna Hutchins’ last words after Alec Baldwin shooting
A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwin’s relationship
00:40 , Bevan Hurley
In their more than a decade of marriage, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin have reached many different milestones together.
After getting married in 2012, the pair expanded their family rapidly and most recently welcomed their seventh child in September. They’ve spoken candidly about different aspects of their marriage, including their 26 year age gap.
At the end of last year, the pair also addressed the struggle they’ve endured since the accidental shooting on the set of Alec’s movie, Rust. In October 2021, a prop gun being used by Alec fired a bullet; the result fatally wounded the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
The Independent’s Amber Raiken has more.
A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwin’s relationship
What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean – and what’s next
00:10 , Bevan Hurley
The Independent’s Clémence Michallon writes that charges brought against Alec Baldwin could mark the “beginning of a lengthy legal saga”.
Former prosecutors and attorneys respond to ‘bold’ and ‘aggressive’ charges
Thursday 19 January 2023 22:39 , Bevan Hurley
The Independent’s Graeme Massie spoke with former prosecutors and attorneys about their thoughts on the charges being brought against Alec Baldwin.
Full story below.
What do legal experts say ‘bold’ charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?
Who was Halyna Hutchins?
Thursday 19 January 2023 21:54 , Annabel Nugent
In light of the news that Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter, family and friends of Halyna Hutchins have remembered her life and career.
Halyna Hutchins: The cinematographer’s life and career
Halyna Hutchins’ husband says charges are a ‘comfort to the family'
Thursday 19 January 2023 20:42 , Annabel Nugent
In a statement issued after the announcement of the charges, Matt Hutchins said: “ We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
Halyna Hutchins’s husband says shooting charges for Alec Baldwin are ‘comfort’
Former prosecutors and attorneys respond to ‘bold’ and ‘aggressive’ charges
Thursday 19 January 2023 20:00 , Inga Parkel
The Independent’s Graeme Massie spoke with former prosecutors and attorneys about their thoughts on the charges being brought against Alec Baldwin.
Read more:
What legal experts say about Alec Baldwin charging decision over Rust shooting
District attorney says that charges will be formally filed against actor before the end of January
Who is Alec Baldwin married to?
Thursday 19 January 2023 19:30 , Inga Parkel
Baldwin has been married to his wife Hilaria for more than 10 years. The couple met in 2011 and got married the following year.
A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwin’s relationship: From tying the knot to welcoming seven children
In their more than a decade of marriage, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin have reached many different milestones together.
Read Matt Hutchins’s statement in full
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:14 , Annabel Nugent
The husband of Halyna Hutchins has reacted to news of the charges, stating that the charges are a “comfort to the family”.
Read his statement in full:
Halyna Hutchins’s husband says shooting charges for Alec Baldwin are ‘comfort’
Halyna Hutchins’s husband responds to charges
Thursday 19 January 2023 18:01 , Annabel Nugent
The husband of Halyna Hutchins has issued a statement in response to the charges.
Matt Hutchins thanked the DA for concluding their “thorough investigation and determining that chages for involuntary manslaughter are warranted”.
Hutchins said that their “independent investigation also supports charges are warranted”.
He said that it is a “comfort to the family” to know that ”no one is above the law”.
Everything Alec Baldwin has said about the shooting
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:34 , Inga Parkel
Alec Baldwin’s attorney has said they intend to “fight these charges”.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the shooting.
Alec Baldwin’s lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter charges
Donald Trump Jr criticised for ‘hateful’ reaction to Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ charges
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:10 , Annabel Nugent
Donald Trump Jr is among the first public figures to respond to the news.
The former US president’s son has been criticised for his “hateful” reaction to Alec Baldwin’s Rust charges.
“Maybe Alec Baldwin will be lucky enough to share a cell with Michael Avenatti,” Mr Trump Jr tweeted on Thursday (19 January) in response to the announcement.
Trump Jr under fire for ‘hateful’ reaction to Alec Baldwin charges
Read the statement from Alec Baldwin’s attorney
Thursday 19 January 2023 17:02 , Annabel Nugent
In a statement given to The Independent, Luke Nikas refuted the charges.
The actor’s attorney said they intend to “fight these charges” and “win”. Read the statement in full here...
Alec Baldwin’s lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter
Alec Baldwin’s attorney says they will ‘fight’ the charges – ‘and win'
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:55 , Annabel Nugent
Alec Baldwin’s attorney has issued a statement in response to the charges.
Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel called the decision a “terrible miscarriage of justice”.
Nikas went on to say that Baldwin had “no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun” and that he relied on the professionals who assured him the gun did not have live rounds.
Alec Baldwin marked the one-year anniversary of Halyna Hutchins’s death
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:45 , Annabel Nugent
In October last year, Alec Baldwin marked the one-year anniversary of Halyna Hutchins’s death with a post on social media.
On Friday (21 October), one year after the incident took place, Baldwin shared a photo of Hutchins to Instagram. “One year ago today…” he captioned the post.
Alec Baldwin remembers Halyna Hutchins on one-year anniversary of her death
Read the DA’s statement in full here
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:40 , Annabel Nugent
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew,” New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said on Thursday (19 January).
“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
Read the DA’s reasons for charging Alec Baldwin in full
‘No one is above the law'
Thursday 19 January 2023 16:29 , Annabel Nugent
Read the full statement from the DA explaning the reasons for the charges below...
