Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges over the death of a young woman who was fatally shot on the set of his upcoming movie. Baldwin, a producer and star of the film, was charged last month for his role in the 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins during the filming of period piece Rust in New Mexico. He was holding a Colt .45 when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied responsibility, insisting he did not pull the trigger on the gun, which should not have been loaded with a live round. The incident sent shockwaves through Hollywood and led to calls for a tightening of the rules around the use of firearms on movie sets. But it also led to accusations of sloppy management, with some in the industry saying regulations were already tight, and that they had simply not been properly followed during the making of Rust.
Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter – one involving "negligent use of a firearm" and one of acting "without due caution or circumspection". Dave Halls, the film's safety coordinator and assistant director who handed Baldwin the loaded gun, agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to six months probation. Baldwin remains free on bail.