By Sonia Horon For Dailymail.Com and Rachel Bowman For Dailymail.Com
03:05 26 Jan 2024, updated 03:40 26 Jan 2024
- The actors’ union criticized the New Mexico prosecutors’ decision to charge Baldwin, 65, for a second time
- ‘Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use,’ the statement read
- Baldwin faces 18 months if convicted of one count of involuntary manslaughter
SAG-AFTRA has come to the defense of actor Alec Baldwin following his second inditement over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The actors’ union criticized the New Mexico prosecutors’ decision to charge Baldwin, 65, with involuntary manslaughter again for the accidental shooting which took place on the set of his film Rust in October 2021.
‘An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert,’ the union shared in a statement.
‘Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm.’
However, the late cinematographer’s family attorney, Gloria Allred, slammed the defense, saying it ‘flies in the face of common sense and the law.’
The SAG-AFTRA statement went on to express that performers shouldn’t be excepted to have experience with gun handling – something the professionals are there for.
‘Performers train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use. The industry assigns that responsibility to qualified professionals who oversee their use and handling in every aspect.’
‘Anyone issued a firearm on set must be given training and guidance in its safe handling and use, but all activity with firearms on a set must be under the careful supervision and control of the professional armorer and the employer.’
In her response to the union’s defense Allred shared in a statement on Thursday: ‘The notion that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun, points it at someone on a movie set, and discharges the weapon flies in the face of common sense and the law.’
‘Safety protocols may be considered at trial, but they are not the law,’ she continued.
‘This indictment was the result of a careful assessment by the grand jury of all the facts and the law. It is important to respect the grand jury’s decision to indict, and to allow the criminal justice system to proceed to trial where the case will be decided on its merits,’ she concluded.
The new involuntary manslaughter charges have been ‘frustrating’ and ‘very stressful’ for the actor and his wife Hilaria, according to People.
A source said, ‘They had a great Christmas and New Year. Hilaria also just turned 40. This is not how they wanted to start the new year.’
‘It’s stressful for Hilaria. It’s frustrating for them both that Alec is being recharged. They knew there was a possibility there would be a new indictment. The back and forth is hard. It’s very stressful.’
The indictment was returned on Friday and charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others’ safety.
If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
In a statement, Baldwin’s attorneys Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas said: ‘We look forward to our day in court.’
Meanwhile Allred said in a statement: ‘Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021.
‘They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit for them and they also would like there to be accountability in the criminal justice system.
‘The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter. We are looking forward to the criminal trial which will determine if he should be convicted for the untimely death of Halyna.’
On October 21, 2021, Baldwin was filming a scene inside a church when he pulled the trigger on his Colt .45 revolver and fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
He’s insisted that the gun fired spontaneously, as he struck director Joel Souza in the shoulder before he shot Hutchins.
Hutchins was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Baldwin was interviewed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office following her death, as he showed tremendous emotions for his actions.
He was initially charged in January 2023 by First Judicial District Attorney of New Mexico Mary Carmack-Altwies, who launched her own media tour soon after filing charges.
Baldwin’s team interpreted her enthusiasm for the case as a fame-hungry effort to boost her own career.
After hashing it out with his team in the court of public opinion, Carmack-Altwies stepped down from the case and a special prosecutor was appointed to take over.
In April last year, that team opted to drop the charges and Baldwin, who had already settled a wrongful death lawsuit launched by Hutchins’ family, breathed a momentary sigh of relief.
Baldwin has always maintained that he followed gun safety laws, and that the fault lies with the armorer or crew who handed him a gun loaded with a live round.
