Prosecutors Plan To Recharge Alec Baldwin With Involuntary Manslaughter Over ‘Rust’ Shooting

Alec Baldwin likely thought he was in the clear when prosecutors dropped all charges against him for the fatal shooting on the set of his movie Rust that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins back in October of 2021. Unfortunately for Baldwin, however, he just found out that he was dead wrong, as new reports indicate that New Mexico prosecutors intend to recharge him for Hutchins’ death.

Baldwin Gets Bad News

Two sources close to the matter told NBC News that prosecutors are preparing to recharge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter. One of these insiders alleged that after investigating further, prosecutors have concluded that the gun actually was not modified in the way that Baldwin had previously claimed. They have also reportedly uncovered evidence that Baldwin was connected to the recklessness surrounding the safety concerns on the film set.

Baldwin would face up to 18 months in prison if convicted, according to Daily Mail, and his case will reportedly go before the grand jury in mid-November.

“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” Special Prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a statement, according to Fox News.

“We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial,” they continued.

Related: Alec Baldwin Gets Bad News – May Still Be Charged In ‘Rust’ Shooting

Baldwin Responds 

Baldwin has long claimed that he is innocent in this shooting, which also wounded Rust director Joel Souza.

“It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution,” said Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro. “We will answer any charges in court.”

This comes five months after special prosectors Morrissey and Jason Lewis dropped all charges against Baldwin, citing “new facts” in the case. However, they made a point of warning at the time that charges being refiled against Baldwin was a very real possibility.

“This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled,” they said.

Despite this, Baldwin was quick to celebrate their announcement as if it were a total vindication for him.

“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” Baldwin’s lawyers told The New York Post at the time.

Baldwin has repeatedly claimed that he did not pull the trigger when the gun he was holding went off on the set of Rust in New Mexico on October 21, 2021, killing Hutchins and injuring Souza.

“The trigger wasn’t pulled — I didn’t pull the trigger,” Baldwin told ABC News in December of 2021. “No, no, no. I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never.”

When asked how a real bullet ended up in the gun, Baldwin replied, “I have no idea. Someone put a live bullet in a gun — a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property.”

Related: Alec Baldwin Attacks Family Of Cinematographer He Fatally Shot On ‘Rust’ Set

Baldwin’s History – Political Views

Baldwin has been known for decades for both his violently erratic temper and his radically liberal views. During Donald Trump’s presidency, Baldwin frequently portrayed him on “Saturday Night Live!” in a negative way.

“What you see with Trump is how Hitler got elected,” Baldwin told GQ in a 2017 interview, one of many that he gave blasting Trump over the years.

Back in 2020, Baldwin blamed the millions of people who voted for Trump for the “near moral collapse of this country.”

“American democracy has always been a struggle between the misaligned protections of specific freedoms and a raging, at times intoxicating, 12 cylinder economy,” Baldwin tweeted at the time, according to The Hill. “It demanded vigilant/consistent regulation, compassion for the disenfranchised, and the periodic display of a necessary sacrifice that allowed for the long term health of our society at the expense of short term whims.”

“The desecration of those ideals and the near moral collapse of this country falls squarely in the lap of Trump’s supporters, as opposed to Trump himself, who is merely what psychology labels the ‘objective negative function,’” he continued.

“And the periodic display of a necessary sacrifice that allowed for the long term health of our society at the expense of short term whims,” Baldwin added. “The desecration of those ideals and the near moral collapse of this country falls squarely in the lap of Trump’s supporters.”

Millions of Americans were livid when the charges against Baldwin regarding Hutchins’ death were dropped earlier this year. These Americans will certainly be happy to see that Baldwin could still be held accountable for her killing.