{"id":24785,"date":"2023-02-21T05:41:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T10:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=24785"},"modified":"2023-02-21T05:41:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T10:41:21","slug":"alec-baldwin-firearm-enhancement-in-manslaughter-charge-downgraded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2023\/02\/21\/alec-baldwin-firearm-enhancement-in-manslaughter-charge-downgraded\/","title":{"rendered":"Alec Baldwin firearm enhancement in manslaughter charge downgraded"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Prosecutors in New Mexico have dropped firearm enhancement charges against Alec Baldwin following the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The move reduces possible prison time for the actor as the charges carry a mandatory five-year prison sentence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Mr Baldwin, who faces two involuntary manslaughter charges, still faces up to 18 months in prison.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Rust’s director Joel Souza was also shot and wounded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Heather Brewer, Santa Fe county district attorney spokesperson, said the prosecution dropped the firearm enhancement charge to “avoid further litigious distractions by Mr Baldwin and his attorneys”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys,” Ms Brewer said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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According to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, prosecutors also dropped the firearm enhancement charge for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armorer, who is responsible for weapons on set.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lawyers for Mr Baldwin, 64, and Ms Gutierrez-Reed had been arguing against the firearm enhancement charge, saying prosecutors were applying a version of the law passed after the October 2021 shooting accident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Ms Hutchins, 42, died in hospital after she was shot in the chest by a prop gun fired by Mr Baldwin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Previously Mr Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, said his client “had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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If convicted, along with a prison sentence, Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed could face a fine of $5,000 (\u00a34,040).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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