Alec Baldwin's Involuntary Manslaughter Charges: A Legal Analysis | WSJ

New Mexico prosecutors charged Alec Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the “Rust” movie set in 2021. Here’s a breakdown of the charges and what comes next.

Illustration: Adele Morgan

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#AlecBaldwin #Legal #WSJ

[darer]

Wow, whether he was to blame or not, he should have never willingly talked to the police afterwards, without a lawyer.

[we]

That’s why you never talk to the cops without an attorney!

[rrrooo]

It's pretty obvious he was in shock and wanted to help in anyway possible. It's easy to point out in hindsight that he should've had a lawyer present. But put yourself I his shoes and youd never think in a million years you'd be charged with ms.

[iNtake]

Whoever gave Alec the gun needs to go to prison period.

[TheRealSeeJ]

“Halls gave Baldwin the gun and yelled cold gun indicating the firearm didn’t have live rounds.” Condolences to the family. But I’m not understanding how he’s responsible

[breakingpoint]

The girl I’m charge of the ammo was unprofessional and crying after it happened ? Grow up and take responsibility

[thegreatone]

Baldwin was making a movie why would he or anyone believe there was a live round in the gun. Doesn’t make any sense that you can charge him without intents or motives.

[SoCalFreelance]

After the Brandon Lee gun incident (1994) one would think this would never happen again.

[ConsensusX]

Everyone who was responsible for bringing and handling the firearm, and live ammunition on set MUST be held accountable. Accident or not, there were negligent action that led to her death.

[Grivian]

This was a movie set for gods sake. No actor should expect to get a lethal weapon in their hands unless it is EXPLICITLY clear that it is dangerous (for example a sharp blade for the non action part of a scene).

[cosmosfristachi]

The firearms specialist they brought on set is truly the one responsible. You can’t expect an actor unfamiliar with firearms to be able to tell whether it’s loaded with blanks or live rounds. If the specialist yelled “COLD GUN” and it went off, she is fully at fault.

[BookofProverbs]

I don’t like Alex Baldwin but this obviously wasn’t his fault.

[Batman]

As filmmaker, I think Alec Baldwin's is not guilty, who should be question are set designer and director of set design about the real gun or bullet in set. Not the actor, who come they ask the actor about the gun or the real bullet. Thant not good at all as Court of law

[zyzzfanzyzzfan]

I think this is just a tragedy 😢. But I really dont see any reason that Baldwin should be criminally accountable

[jasonstouder]

Whoever handed Baldwin the gun was an expert who said, cold gun. Theres the negligent party.

[PaulSmoker]

Why on earth did he consent to speak with law enforcement without his lawyer present? HUGE mistake!

[AlbertoFigueroaArquitectura]

Why is he charged and not the person in responsible for the gun safety in the movie. IS THERE ONLY JOB

[jettserUK]

The police/prosecution are missing the whole point here! That's why Baldwin has a set team to assist him and that incompetent person (armourer) loaded live rounds unnecessarily into a prop is ultimately responsible! Unreal!

[jonr]

This seeking of punishment is neanderthal. The investigation should determine the failures so laws are changed to prevent this accidental chain of events in future. The victim's family should also be compensated!

To say this or that person failed in their duties is the worst legal double-bind given the freedoms, no different to any firearms accident, of which there are many... Gun culture!!

The only time a criminal prosecution is justified is if one or more participants had motive to shoot the victim, then it's a whole different thing. And that seems hard to establish given the conditions.

[ropro]

How in tf is this Baldwin's fault???