Actor and producer Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty and opts not to attend his virtual arraignment in the state District Court, facing charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the tragic October 2021 shooting on the Rust film set near Santa Fe. Instead, he chose to waive the hearing and Baldwin pleads not guilty through a court filing submitted on a Sunday.
Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Rust Film Shooting
Baldwin pleads not guilty on the charge of the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, where a firearm he was holding discharged. Investigations revealed negligence as the cause of the fatal incident, attributing it to the inadvertent mixing of live rounds with simulated ammunition.
The charge of fourth-degree felony involuntary manslaughter carries a potential 18-month prison sentence. On Baldwin pleads not guilty, he had previously been indicted in April, but the charges were dropped by prosecutors, citing the need for further investigation.
Judge T. Glenn Ellington granted Baldwin release from jail until the trial, under specific conditions. These conditions include prohibitions on possessing firearms, consuming alcohol or illegal drugs, and leaving the country without court authorization.
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Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty: Legal Restrictions
While Baldwin is allowed to communicate with witnesses related to the Rust film for business purposes, discussions about the shooting or potential testimony are strictly prohibited.
Moreover, Baldwin is prohibited from directly or indirectly influencing witnesses or the production team regarding the incident, except in discussions related to civil litigation with attorneys present. The judge emphasized that Baldwin must refrain from soliciting witnesses or participants in the Rust production for any projects with Moxie Films or offering safety statements outside of regular investigative procedures.