Alec Baldwin denies responsibility for 'Rust' shooting in court plea

Alec Baldwin has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of manslaughter following the fatal shooting of a woman during the filming of "Rust." Baldwin, who is also a producer and lead actor in the film, was charged last month in connection with the 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins.  

The incident occurred while Baldwin was holding a Colt .45, which discharged, resulting in Hutchins' death and the injury of director Joel Souza. Baldwin has consistently denied responsibility, maintaining that he did not pull the trigger on the gun, which he claims should not have been loaded with live ammunition.  

This tragic event not only caused shock in Hollywood but also prompted calls for stricter regulations regarding the use of firearms on movie sets. Baldwin's legal team has requested an expedited trial to mitigate public scrutiny and to prevent the challenges of proving his innocence after a prolonged delay in prosecution.  

The initial manslaughter charges against Baldwin were dropped last year due to new information that necessitated further investigation and forensic analysis. However, a grand jury subsequently indicted him, with potential consequences of up to 18 months in jail if convicted. The charges against Baldwin are focused on his actions as an actor, rather than his role as a producer.  

The actors' union SAG-AFTRA has criticized the charges, arguing that they are based on an incorrect understanding of the responsibilities of an actor. The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also set to stand trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, while the film's safety coordinator, Dave Halls, agreed to a plea deal and received a six-month probation sentence. 

Source: AFP