Alec Baldwin enhancement charges dropped in ‘Rust’ shooting case

Alec Baldwin will no longer be facing years in prison over the death of ‘Rust’ cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after the special prosecutor dropped the firearms enhancement charge from the original case brought against the actor and producer.

If Baldwin were convicted of the original charges, involuntary manslaughter, and firearms enhancement charges, he would have faced a mandatory five years sentence in jail. With the charges dropped, Baldwin still faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter, which could carry a sentence of 18 months if convicted.

The amendment to the charges was filed late Friday. The charge was also dropped against the former armorer for ‘Rust,’ Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who faces the same involuntary charge as Baldwin too.

Statement from District Attorney’s Office

“In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust film set,” Heather Brewer, a spokesperson for the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office said in a statement Monday.

Brewer continued, “The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys.”

“We applaud the decision of the District Attorney to dismiss the gun enhancement and it was the right call, ethically, and on the merits,” Gutierrez Reed’s attorney Jason Bowles said in a statement.

Statement from Baldwin’s Attorney

In a statement to People Magazine, in late January, Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel said that the announcement of criminal charges against the actor is a “terrible miscarriage of justice.”

“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set,” Nikas adds.

Earlier this month, the parents and sister of Hutchins sued Baldwin, along with the movie’s production company and others, over her death. Last fall, a settlement was reached between Baldwin, the production company, and Halyna Hutchin’s widower, Matthew Hutchins concerning the incident.

Meanwhile, production for ‘Rust’ continues, with Alec Baldwin resuming his lead role. The production also moved sets from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to California.