Alec Baldwin.Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images
Alec Baldwinis officially pleading not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges brought against him in New Mexico over the October 2021 on-set death ofRustcinematographerHalyna Hutchins.
As a result, judge Mary Marlow Sommer has canceled Friday’s hearing, which was expected to see Baldwin appear in court for the first time since charges were filed against him and formerRustarmorerHannah Gutierrez-Reedon Jan. 31, according toDeadline.
Baldwin’s not guilty plea comes after prosecutorsdropped the firearms enhancement chargeoriginally brought against the actor/producer, which would have given the actor/producer a mandatory five years in jail had he been convicted of the involuntary manslaughter and firearms enhancement charges.
Alec Baldwin on the set ofRust.Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office/ZUMA
Baldwin still faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting — that crime would carry a lesser sentence of 18 months if convicted.
The charge was also dropped against Gutierrez-Reed, who faces the same involuntary manslaughter charge as Baldwin.
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In addition to criminal charges, Baldwin is alsofacing another civil lawsuitfrom Hutchins' parents and sister in her death.
RELATED VIDEO: Alec Baldwin Sees Charge Dropped in ‘Rust’ Shooting, Faces Reduced Prison Sentence
In a statement to PEOPLE on Jan. 19, Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel said the announcement of criminal charges against the actor “distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death andrepresents a terrible miscarriage of justice.”
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set,” Nikas added. “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.”
source: people.com
