An attorney for the family and co-worker of slain cinematographer Halyna Hutchins said his clients welcomed Alec Baldwin's upcoming criminal trial after a New Mexico grand jury indicted the actor on involuntary manslaughter for his role in the deadly shooting on the film's set. “Oxide.”
“Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened the day Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021,” reads the statement issued Friday by attorney Gloria Allred's office.
“They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit and would also like to see accountability in the criminal justice system.”
While rehearsing the western film “Rust,” Baldwin pointed a prop gun in the direction of Hutchins and director Joel Souza. The gun accidentally discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger; A firearms expert brought in by prosecutors reported that it would have been necessary to pull the trigger to fire the gun.
Friday's indictment, signed by special prosecutor Kari. T. Morrissey, marks the second time Baldwin has been charged in Hutchins' death. Santa Fe County District Attorney. Mark Carmack-Altwies had filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the film's actress, producer and gunsmith, Hannah Gutiérrez Reed.
However, Carmack-Altwies withdrew from the case and Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis, taking over as special prosecutors, dropped the charges, saying there were “new facts” that called for further investigation.
Gutiérrez Reed is scheduled to face trial on February 21 on the involuntary manslaughter charges against him.
Allred represents Hutchins' parents, Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych, and his sister Svetlana Zemko in a lawsuit filed last year alleging assault and negligence against Baldwin and other producers and crew members, who have denied wrongdoing.
Allred's client also includes “Rust” script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, who is also suing Baldwin and others connected to the production of “Rust.”
Hutchins' husband and son previously sued Baldwin and the film's producers in New Mexico. That lawsuit was resolved in 2022.
“The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter,” Allred's statement added. “We look forward to the criminal trial that will determine whether he should be convicted for Halyna's untimely death.”
If convicted of a fourth-degree felony, Baldwin would face up to 18 months in prison.
Baldwin denied any wrongdoing and cited the actions of other crew members as causing the tragedy.
“We look forward to our day in court,” Baldwin's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, said in a statement responding to the new allegation.
Times staff writer Meg James contributed to this report.
