American actor Alec Baldwin on Friday accused prosecutors, who charged him with the fatal shooting on a set in 2021, of having made a “basic error of law” on an aggravating circumstance against him.
• Read also: Fatal shooting of Alec Baldwin on a set: the parents of the victim attack in civil
• Read also: Alec Baldwin formally charged with manslaughter
On October 21, 2021, this shooting 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 cinematographer Halyna Hutchins , 42, and injured director Joel Souza.
This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and had a strong impact, triggering calls to ban firearms on the sets, where the presence of live ammunition is in theory already prohibited.
Alec Baldwin is facing criminal charges in New Mexico for manslaughter and faces an 18-month prison sentence, just like the film’s armorer
. The actor is notably targeted by an aggravating circumstance – which concerns him because of the use of a firearm – which makes him risk up to five years behind bars.
But in a court document dated Friday, Mr. Baldwin’s lawyers believe that the aggravating circumstance cited by the prosecution was not in effect as such in New Mexico law at the time of the events, and should therefore be dropped. .
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed | Voices of the West/Facebook
Lawyers for Ms Gutierrez-Reed have said they will be filing a similar request soon, according to Variety. A hearing for both is scheduled for February 24.
Alec Baldwin is also the subject of a civil complaint from the Ukrainian parents and the victim’s sister, the family lawyer announced on Thursday.
Mr. Baldwin, 64, known in particular for his role in the series 30Rock, 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.