Alec Baldwin seeks ‘speedy’ manslaughter trial for ‘Rust’ film death

US actor Alec Baldwin, who has been
charged with manslaughter over the deadly shooting on the set of his film,
asked a New Mexico judge for a “speedy trial” Wednesday.

Baldwin, a producer and actor on the film, was charged again Friday for his
role in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his
movie “Rust.”

He was holding a Colt .45 during rehearsals for the low-budget Western in New
Mexico when it discharged a live round, killing Hutchins and wounding
director Joel Souza.

Baldwin has repeatedly denied responsibility for the shooting, insisting he
did not pull the trigger on the gun, which in any case should have been
loaded with a non-lethal blank.

The charges filed Friday are the latest attempt to hold someone to account
for the deadly episode, which sent shockwaves through Hollywood and led to
calls for a tightening of the rules around firearms on movie sets.

The court had required Baldwin to appear for an initial hearing virtually or
in person by February 1, according to court documents seen by AFP.

Baldwin’s defense Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro on Wednesday filed a request for
a quick trial in order to “minimize public vilification and suspicion and to
avoid the hazards of proving his innocence that often arise after a lengthy
delay in prosecution.”

Initial manslaughter charges against 65-year-old Baldwin were dropped in
April last year, due to what prosecutors called “new facts” which demanded
“further investigation and forensic analysis” and lead to the convening of
the grand jury that handed down Friday’s indictment.

Baldwin reportedly faces up to 18 months in jail if convicted.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer — the person responsible for
supplying and maintaining weapons — is set to go on trial next month on
charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.

Dave Halls, the film’s safety coordinator and assistant director who handed
Baldwin the loaded gun, agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and was
sentenced to six months’ probation.

Filming of “Rust” was halted by the tragedy, but resumed last year.

The cinematographer’s widower, Matthew Hutchins, who has already settled a
wrongful death suit with “Rust” producers, served as an executive producer on
the project.

Director Souza also returned, saying at the time that completing the movie
would be “bittersweet” but that the cast and crew “are committed to
completing what Halyna and I started.” (BSS/AFP)