It seems as if Alec Baldwin has won a victory in his upcoming court case even before it proceeds to trial. The Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed it will be dropping a firearm enhancement connected to charges of manslaughter meaning that the actor will now face a significantly reduced stay in prison should he be convicted.
Baldwin, who is accused of two involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the on-set death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was potentially facing a five-year prison term before the DA elected to drop the enhancement. Attorneys for the star had argued that the enhancement was unconstitutional as it was based upon a law passed after the Oct. 2021 shooting. Hutchins was accidentally shot by Baldwin with an improperly checked firearm during the filming of the movie.
The District Attorney’s office confirmed the charge was dropped due to Baldwin’s lawyers’ constitutional argument. “In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the ‘Rust’ film set,” Heather Brewer, a spokesperson for the DA told The New York Post. “The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys.”
Baldwin still faces a maximum of 18 months in prison for manslaughter if he is found guilty. Baldwin’s fellow defendant in the case, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed — who was responsible for weapons on the set — will have the enhancement on her charges dropped as well.
Rust is currently scheduled to resume shooting. A documentary about Hutchins’ life will be filmed simultaneously.
