American actor Alec Baldwin, author of a fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, according to a document sent to justice on Thursday.
He also agreed to certain conditions set by the court, including a ban on the use of firearms and drinking alcohol. He will also be able to resume shooting the film.
Criminally prosecuted in the state of New Mexico (southwest), he risks an 18-month prison sentence, just like the gunsmith in the film Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
The actor was to appear in court on Friday, but, by making his position known to the courts in writing, he will not be present at this hearing.
On October 21, 2021, the filming of the film “Rust” on a ranch in New Mexico had turned tragic when Mr. Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed the director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injured director Joel Souza.
This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and provoked calls to ban firearms on the sets.
Alec Baldwin, known in particular for his role in the series “30 Rock”, has always claimed his innocence. According to him, he was assured that his weapon was harmless, and he denies having pulled the trigger. An assertion questioned by many experts.
After his indictment, actor Luke Nikas’ lawyer immediately denounced a “terrible miscarriage of justice”.
No guns, no alcohol
The documents filed Thursday list the terms of the judicial review of the actor, on bail.
In particular, he is prohibited from drinking alcohol and possessing firearms or dangerous weapons.
He is also forbidden to come into contact with the witnesses of the case, except “in the context of the making of the film Rust”.
The producers announced last year that the project would be revived, and that all the main actors would reprise their roles.
Recently, prosecutors investigating the responsibility of Alec Baldwin gave up prosecuting the actor for an aggravating circumstance targeting him and which made him face five more years behind bars.
During their investigation, the authorities particularly endeavored to determine how live ammunition could have been found on the set, which is prohibited, precisely to avoid accidents.
Police have concluded that the gunsmith on the set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, put the ammunition in the gun used by Alec Baldwin, instead of a dummy bullet.
In August, the actor said he expected no one to be charged, even indicating that he had hired a private detective to establish responsibilities in the case.
The tragedy gave rise to a flurry of civil lawsuits from several members of the team.
In October, Alec Baldwin announced that he had reached an agreement ending the civil lawsuits brought by Ms Hutchins’ family. Its amount was not disclosed.