Alec Baldwin has been claiming his innocence since the tragedy took place. The American actor, author of a fatal shooting on a film set in 2021, thus pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, according to a document sent Thursday, February 23 to justice.
Criminally prosecuted in the state of New Mexico (southwest), he faces an 18-month prison sentence, just like the gunsmith in the film Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The 64-year-old actor was due to appear in court on Friday, but, having made his position known to the court in writing, he will not be present at this hearing.
On October 21, 2021, the filming of the film Rust on a ranch in New Mexico had turned tragic when Mr. Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed the director of the photograph Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injured director Joel Souza. This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and provoked calls to ban firearms on the sets.
Prohibition of drinking alcohol and possessing firearms
According to Alec Baldwin, known in particular for his role in the series 30 Rock, he had been assured that his weapon was harmless. The actor denies having pulled the trigger. An assertion questioned by many experts. After his indictment, actor Luke Nikas' lawyer immediately denounced a "terrible miscarriage of justice".
The documents filed Thursday list the terms of the judicial review of the actor, on bail. In particular, he is prohibited from drinking alcohol and possessing firearms or dangerous weapons.
He is also forbidden to come into contact with the witnesses of the case, except "in the context of the making of the film 'Rust'". The producers announced last year that the project would be revived, and that all the main actors would reprise their roles.
Series of civil lawsuits
Recently, prosecutors investigating the responsibility of Alec Baldwin gave up prosecuting the actor for an aggravating circumstance targeting him and which made him face five more years behind bars.
During their investigation, the authorities particularly endeavored to determine how live ammunition could have been found on the set, which is prohibited, precisely to avoid accidents. Officers have concluded that the shooting gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, put the ammunition in the gun used by Alec Baldwin, instead of a dummy bullet.
In August, the actor said he expected no one to be charged, even stating that he had hired a private detective to establish responsibilities in this case. The tragedy gave rise to a volley of civil lawsuits, emanating from several members of the team. In October, Alec Baldwin announced that he had reached an agreement ending the civil lawsuits brought by Ms Hutchins' family. Its amount was not disclosed.
