Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty to homicide charge

Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, reports NBC.

In October 2021, on the set of Rust, he was using a prop gun to rehearse a scene when the weapon went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

Alec Baldwin pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2021 accidental fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust.” https://t.co/YPRf5GoimD

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 1, 2024

Baldwin maintains that he never pulled the trigger on the revolver during the incident. He claims he simply pulled the hammer back.

As the investigation progressed, Baldwin's position – based on the belief that the revolver was loaded with harmless dummy cartridges – became a source of controversy. After reviewing the case in New Mexico, special prosecutors highlighted forensic test results showing that the accident could only have occurred if the trigger had been pulled.

Hannah Gutierrez Reed, Rust's weapons supervisor, is also blamed for Hutchins' death.

Gutierrez Reed will appear in court next month.

The incident has also sparked discussion about safety protocol on film sets.

The outcome of the trial will be closely observed, that's for sure…

Rust resumed shooting in early 2023 and was completed last May.

However, the fate of the film remains uncertain due to the legal proceedings.