The case has hit the headlines in the United States since 2021. Its main protagonist, Alec Baldwin, actor, director and producer, is accused of homicide. The events took place on a film set on a ranch in New Mexico. Alec Baldwin pointed a gun meant to contain only blank bullets, but killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. The gunsmith has already been found guilty of manslaughter.
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From our correspondent in Washington,
Rust is a western filmed in 2021 in New Mexico. While filming a rehearsal, Alec Baldwin fires a revolver supposedly not loaded with live ammunition. Except it wasn’t, real ammo was in the gun. The shot goes off and the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, is killed on set. Given the actor’s notoriety, the affair caused a lot of noise.
Read alsoUnited States: actor Alec Baldwin responsible for fatal shooting on the set of a western
Gunsmith found guilty of manslaughter
There are two legal aspects of the case. At the criminal level. A few days ago, there was already a conviction for manslaughter. That of the gunsmith in the film, who was therefore found guilty due to her negligence, because she did not check the contents of the pistol, which was also used outside of filming for recreational shooting. She is awaiting the length of her sentence, which can be up to 18 months in prison.
Alec Baldwin has proclaimed his innocence in this affair from the start. He is implicated in two capacities, that of actor, since it was he who held the revolver, and as those responsible for the filming, since he is the producer of the film. He claims that the gunsmith assured him that the weapon was a cold gun as they say in Hollywood jargon, that is to say that it was not dangerous or at the very least loaded with blank ammunition. Furthermore, Alec Baldwin assures that the blow went away on its own. He was initially exonerated, until the FBI concluded that the shooting could not have happened without pulling the trigger. His trial in New Mexico is scheduled for July. He also faces 18 months in prison if found guilty.
Read alsoFatal shooting of Alec Baldwin on the set of “Rust”: the gunsmith did not check the revolver
What about reparations for the victims’ families?
The criminal aspect is a possible prison sentence. Civil is financial reparations. Initially, Halyna Hutchins’ family had filed a complaint against the production, that is to say directly against Alec Baldwin. But in the United States, everything is negotiable. So there was what we call here a settlement, an amicable agreement. We do not know the exact amount, but the charges were dropped.
Halyna Hutchins’ husband became executive producer of the film. He will therefore receive money from what the film will bring in. The production of Rust is finished and the film will be released, although we don’t know when. Maybe in 2024 or maybe later. And given the curiosity it arouses, it might just work.
Read alsoFatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust”: Alec Baldwin again charged with manslaughter