Actor Alec Baldwin has entered a plea of not guilty in the shooting death of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie. Baldwin and a weapons supervisor were charged with involuntary manslaughter last month and Baldwin waived his right to a first formal court appearance.
Conditions of Release for Baldwin Set
A judge has set conditions of release for Baldwin, which include limited contact with potential witnesses in connection with the completion of the filming of "Rust". Baldwin is not allowed to consume alcohol or possess weapons, including firearms. Contact with potential witnesses is only allowed regarding completing the movie and related business matters and not discussing the accident at issue.
Preliminary Hearing and Possible Punishments
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for a likely preliminary hearing in the next few months to determine if there is probable cause to proceed to trial. The involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed carry a punishment of up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine under New Mexico law.
Details of Shooting Incident Involving Baldwin
Authorities had stated that Baldwin was pointing a pistol at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin is a lead actor and co-producer in the Western movie "Rust".
