THAT CHARGE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FIRST PLACE

Prosecutors downgrade 'Rust' manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, cutting prison time to 18 months

 

By Owais Farooqi 

 

meaww 
February 20, 2023

 

 

Alec Baldwin would have received a minimum prison sentence of five years for the 2021fatal shooting on the set of the movie 'Rust' 

 

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Alec Baldwin is no longer facing years behind bars in connection to the fatal shooting of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Prosecutors have downgraded the involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor significantly reducing the possible prison time. 

First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies filed the paperwork Monday morning, according to documents obtained by Fox News. If convicted under that law, called a firearm enhancement, Baldwin would have received a minimum prison sentence of five years. Instead, he now faces a maximum of 18 months in prison.

Why did they drop the charges?

"In order to avoid further litigious distractions by 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, spokesperson for the district attorney, said in a statement.

"The prosecution's priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys." The charge was also dropped against former Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who faces the same involuntary manslaughter charge as Baldwin.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were previously charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to Hutchins' death on January 31. Hutchins died on October 21, 2021, after a gun Baldwin was holding fired on the set of 'Rust' while shooting in New Mexico. The shot also injured director Joel Souza.

Lawyers for both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed had argued that by charging their clients under the firearm enhancement law, the prosecutors appeared to be applying a version of the law that had not been passed until 2022. Baldwin's attorney Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel previously said in a statement sent to various outlets and as quoted by People, said the announcement of criminal charges against the actor "distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice."

"Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set," Nikas added. Nikas also mentioned that "He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."

'Special treatment for the elites'

He is set to make his first court appearance on February 24. Baldwin could appear virtually during the hearing, which will be live-streamed on YouTube.

Meanwhile, the internet has reacted by saying the elites have got special treatment, "Special treatment for the elites. If that were an average American, they would be in the prison," one Twitter user wrote. Although many were of the view that the actor was "overcharged". "It is not surprising they overcharged. The prosecutor is looking to make a name for himself by charging a controversial celebrity. He made a big splash, and now reality sets in." One wrote, "He still is a murder forever!." Another user wrote, "How many more ways can this country show favor towards the wealthy."