The family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins supports the charges against Alec Baldwin in relation to the on-set shooting that resulted in her death.
A New Mexico prosecutor announced Thursday that Baldwin was criminally charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting that took place while filming his movie “Rust,” according to The New York Post.
Brian J. Panish, of Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP, released a statement on behalf of the Hutchins family, explaining their position on the matter.
“It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law,” the statement read, according to Law & Crime. “We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
#UPDATE: Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis says Baldwin is being charged as both an actor and a producer on the movie … she says he pulled the trigger as the actor, and had a duty to make sure the set was safe as a producer. https://t.co/zhtIWakE1n
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 19, 2023
Speaking on behalf of the family, Panish praised the prosecution for their efforts.
“We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life,” the family said, according to Law & Crime.
They went on to indicate they were completely aligned in their findings.
“Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted,” they wrote, according to Law & Crime.(RELATED: Assistant Movie Director Countersues Alec Baldwin In Aftermath Of Fatal On-Set Shooting)
Alec Baldwin to be charged in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting of Halyna Hutchins: report https://t.co/wXvNzc5Ih1 pic.twitter.com/Qjs45L9H9k
— New York Post (@nypost) January 20, 2023
Luke Nikas, acting on behalf of Baldwin, released a statement saying the prosecutors’ decision “distorts Halyna Hutchins’s tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,” according to The New York Times.
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set,” Nikas said.
“He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win,” he said, according to The New York Times.
If convicted, the jury will have to decide between two possible charges and outcomes. Baldwin could be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter which would result in a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail.
The second option is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act, which is also punishable with up to 18 months in prison but also mandates 5 years behind bars due to the firearm enhancement to the charge. This would mandate Baldwin spend five years behind bars, according to The New York Post.