Baldwin will now answer whether he used the firearm negligently or without due care.
A long-time American actor Alec Baldwin denies new accusations of wrongful death on the set of a film in 2021 when the cinematographer of Rust Halyna Hutchins died. Baldwin rehearsed the scene with a handgun that was supposed to have only bang charges. There was a real bullet in the gun.
Baldwin, who is also one of the film’s producers, has repeatedly denied firing the gun. Baldwin was also previously charged with manslaughter, but the charge was dismissed.
Baldwin’s latest response to the accusation was reported on Wednesday.
The charges were filed in January after a New Mexico grand jury found prosecutors’ case strong enough. Baldwin will now answer whether he used the firearm negligently or without due care. The court is to decide whether Baldwin will be convicted of either or neither. Baldwin is on trial as an actor, not a producer, which matters. The actors’ union has taken a stand on the situation by stating that the actor is not responsible for the weapons and their professional handling.
The case is scheduled to be heard in New Mexico state court on Thursday.
The incident that led to death has raised a wide debate in Hollywood and demands that there should be more detailed laws and policies regarding the handling of weapons in connection with filming. At the same time, the security control of Rust’s filming has been criticized for not being monitored in the right way.
Source: AFP