Alec Baldwin will not be charged over the shooting injury of Rust director Joel Souza. The announcement was made by the New Mexico district attorney after the 64-year-old actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of the film’s cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, killed when a prop gun went off during rehearsals on the Rust set in October 2021.
Joel was hospitalized after he was injured by the same bullet that killed Halyna, but it emerged on Sunday Alec will not be facing a charge over the injury as there is no “unintentional battery” charge that would apply in the case. Battery generally requires proof of intention and prosecutors are not alleging Alec intentionally fired the bullet.
Joel, 49, is reportedly due to resume his role of director on Rust, with Alec also set to return to the project.
Alec has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and insisted Dave said he was being handed a “cold” gun – meaning it was unloaded and safe.
The 30 Rock actor previously insisted he did not pull the trigger when Halyna was shot, but the FBI tested the weapon and later issued a report that concluded it would not have fired if someone had not pulled the trigger.
Halyna’s death was previously ruled an accident but her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alec and others involved in the production of Rust.
The lawsuit was settled last October, and it was agreed filming would resume on the western, with the cinematographer’s widower, Matthew Hutchins, on board as an executive producer. Matthew has said he has “no interest” in apportioning blame for his wife’s death and wants to pay tribute to her “final work.
Source: People
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