American actor Alec Baldwin, author of a fatal shooting on the set of the film "Rust" in 2021, has been charged with manslaughter and faces up to five years in prison if convicted of aggravated negligence, announced Tuesday, January 31 a prosecutor.

The film's gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who handled the weapon, is the subject of the same charge, said Santa Fe County District Attorney in New Mexico, Mary Carmack-Altwies.

"No one is above the law and justice will be served," she insisted in a statement.

On October 21, 2021, this filming on a ranch in New Mexico (southwest) had turned tragic when Alec Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed the director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injured director Joel Souza.

This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and had a strong impact, triggering calls to ban firearms on the sets, where the presence of live ammunition is in theory already prohibited.

Up to 18 months in prison

If convicted of simple manslaughter, Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed risk up to 18 months in prison.

But this sentence could be increased to a maximum of five years in prison in the event of aggravated negligence.

The prosecutor announced her intention to prosecute on January 20.

The actor's lawyer, Luke Nikas, then denounced a "terrible miscarriage of justice".

"Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe that a live ammunition was in the gun, or anywhere else at the shooting location," he insisted.

Alec Baldwin, 64, best known for the series "30 Rock", has always said that he was assured that his weapon was harmless.

Assistant director David Halls, who had given him the weapon, informing him that it was not dangerous, will be accused of negligence when using a deadly weapon.

Lawsuits he chose not to contest.

Alec Baldwin also denies pulling the trigger, a claim doubted by many experts.

In August, the actor said he expected no one to be charged, telling CNN he had hired a private detective to establish responsibilities in the case.

The tragedy gave rise to a flurry of civil lawsuits from several members of the team.

In October, Alec Baldwin announced that he had reached an agreement ending the civil lawsuits brought by the family of Halyna Hutchins.

Its amount was not disclosed. 

At the time, filming of "Rust" was also announced to resume for early 2023. The late cinematographer's widower, Matthew Hutchins, is to be promoted to executive producer on the film.

With AFP

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