'Rust' Producers Warn Alec Baldwin May Still Face Criminal Charges

'Rust' Producers Warn Alec Baldwin May Still Face Criminal Charges,"Rust" producers warn that Alec Baldwin may still face criminal charges pending further investigation of the shooting of Halyna Hutchins.

‘Rust’ Producers Warn Alec Baldwin May Still Face Criminal Charges

On Thursday, “Rust” special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis revealed that they were planning on dropping the two counts of involuntary manslaughter Alec Baldwin was facing for the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.

Despite conflicting reports, the special prosecutors clarified that “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed would still face charges and there was still the possibility that Baldwin would face criminal charges again as the investigation continued.

‘Rust’ Prosecutors Warn Alec Baldwin May Still Face Criminal Charges Pending Further Investigation

Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis had been appointed by the Santa Fe District Attorney last month to take over the prosecution; however, they surprised everyone on Thursday when they announced that they were planning on dropping the two counts of involuntary manslaughter against Alec Baldwin.

However, on Thursday night, the special prosecutors released a statement (via Deadline) clarifying that they were dismissing the charges without prejudice, which means that the actor could still potentially face charges in the future as law enforcement officials continue to investigate the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The statement from the two “Rust” prosecutors reads:

“Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander ‘Alec’ Rae Baldwin, III. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.”

They also clarified that the charges have not been dropped against “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who claims that she did not even check the gun before it was used to rehearse the scene. “Charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged,” the prosecutors said on Thursday night.

A virtual status hearing has been set for Friday, April 21, in Santa Fe before Judge Mary Marlow Sommer, who has handled the case so far. A preliminary trial had been scheduled for the first week of May and will likely continue with the charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Baldwin’s Legal Team Is ‘Pleased’ That The Charges Have Been Dropped Against Baldwin… For Now

In a statement, Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said, “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin, and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”

Lawyers for Gutierrez-Reed, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said, “The new special prosecutor team has taken a very diligent and thorough approach to the entire investigation, which we welcome and have always welcomed.”

“They are seeking the truth and we are also. The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered,” they continued. “We fully expect at the end of this process that Hannah will also be exonerated.”

‘Rust’ To Resume Filming In Montana This Week

Although production on the Western film was paused in October 2021 following the passing of Halyna Hutchins, it was scheduled to resume at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana this week.

A spokesperson for the film told CNN that filming was scheduled to resume on Thursday, April 20, which is the same day that the prosecutors decided to announce that they were dropping the charges against Baldwin.

Halyna’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, will serve as an executive producer on the new film after reaching a settlement in his wrongful death lawsuit last October. He has reportedly given his “blessing and support” to the new cinematographer, Bianca Cline, who has worked on the critically acclaimed “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.”

Melina Spadone, Attorney for Rust Movie Productions, has stated that the scene in the church that led to Halyna Hutchins’ passing has been rewritten. In addition, the crew will not be using any working weapons.

“The production will continue to utilize union crew members and will bar any use of working weapons and any form of ammunition,” Spadone told Entertainment Tonight earlier this week. “Live ammunition is — and always was — prohibited on set.”

It is still unclear how live ammunition ended up on a movie set, or more importantly, how it ended up in the gun that Baldwin was holding to rehearse a scene. That is likely a matter pending further investigation by the special prosecutors before they decide whether or not to press charges yet again.