New Mexico prosecutors intend to recharge Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for Rust shooting

New Mexico prosecutors plan to charge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his film Rust in October 2021.

Two law enforcement sources quoted by NBC News today confirmed the threatening allegations. They say there has also been recent talk of a settlement.

The special prosecutor in charge of the case has not publicly confirmed the new charges.

Actor Alec Baldwin, pictured in the Hamptons earlier this month, will be re-indicted for manslaughter in mid-November if the grand jury agrees

If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison.

The case against Baldwin was dismissed in April this year based on new evidence in the case that suggested the gun he used could have been modified before he touched it, and as a result malfunctioned.

At the time, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said they reserved the right to charge Baldwin.

“This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and the charges may be refiled,” they said.

A report from August this year confirmed that the weapon had not been modified.

Baldwin has not yet commented. He has always maintained that it was a fatal accident for which he bears no responsibility.

The film’s gunmaker, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter. Her trial date has been set for February next year.

Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the film set of his western Rust in October 2021

Dave Halls, the film’s assistant director, accepted a plea deal on charges of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

In March, he was sentenced to six months’ probation.

Baldwin was filming a scene in a church on October 21 when Baldwin, dressed in costume, pulled his gun from its holster.

He insists it fired spontaneously, hitting director Joel Souza first in the shoulder and then hitting Halyna.

She was taken to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The actor was overcome with emotion and sobbing outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, where he had been interviewed after learning of Halyna’s death.

Her widower initially said Baldwin had been compassionate and helpful to the family.

In subsequent interviews, he insisted that the shooting could not have been his fault, and that he repeatedly asked the gunsmith whether the gun was “hot” or “cold.”

It remains a mystery how live rounds ended up on set.