The Santa Fe District Attorney said the deal between Alec Baldwin, the Rust producers and Halyna Hutchins’ family “will have no impact” on the ongoing criminal investigation into his death – and that “no one is above the law”.
A spokesperson for Mary Carmack-Altwies released a statement following the announcement of the secret civil transactionsaying that the allegations could still be filed.
Hutchina cinematographer, died after a prop gun held by Baldwin was discharged during rehearsals for the western film Rust on the Bonanza Creek Ranch set in New Mexico in October 2021 and her family filed a manslaughter lawsuit against the star and others who worked on the production earlier this year.
Halyna Hutchins was shot dead on the set of Rust last year. Photo: Swen Studios / Reuters
Lawyers for her husband Matthew Hutchins, the Hollywood movie star and other producers have now confirmed that this has been resolved and that filming is expected to resume in 2023, with Mr. Hutchins taking over the role of executive producer.
In a shared statement with Sky News, Heather Brewer, a spokeswoman for the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, said this will not affect the criminal investigation.
“The proposed settlement in Matthew Hutchins ‘manslaughter case against Rust film producers, including Alec Baldwin, in the death of Halyna Hutchins, will have no impact on District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies’ ongoing investigation or her final decision. whether to file criminal charges in the case “, the note reads.
“While civil cases are resolved privately and often involve financial compensation, criminal cases are only about facts.
“If the facts and evidence justify criminal charges under New Mexico law, the charges will be filed. No one is above the law.”
Filming on Rust will resume in January 2023, with director Joel Souza, who was injured in the accident, returning to direct the project.
“In my healing efforts, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense to me if it were made with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family,” he said after the deal was announced.
Director Joel Souza is returning to production. Pic: Ron Adar / SOPA Images / Shutterstock
What did Baldwin, the Rust producers and Mr. Hutchins say about the deal?
Baldwin is a producer on the film, as well as its star.
Confirming the agreement, he thanked all those who “contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation” and said that everyone wanted “to do the best for Halyna’s son”.
Hutchins said he “has no interest in engaging in recriminations or attributions of blame (either to the producers or to Mr. Baldwin),” and added: “We all believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and entertainment community gathered to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work. “
A Rust Movie Productions attorney said: “We are delighted that the parties have come together to resolve this matter, which, with court approval, marks a major step forward in celebrating Halyna’s life and honoring her work.”
Almost a year later, no charges were filed in connection with the incident.
In a camera interview a few weeks later, Baldwin recalled the moments leading up to the tragedy. He said he was handed the revolver and said “this is a cold gun” – an industrial term that means it was empty or loaded with dummy bullets.
He said the gun accidentally exploded and he didn’t pull the trigger. However, a recent FBI forensic report found the weapon it couldn’t have been fired unless the trigger was pulled.
The deal comes after a report found the film’s production company. “he knew firearm safety procedures were not followed on set“and” demonstrated a clear indifference to employee safety “.
Read more: Who Was Halyna Hutchins?
Rust Movie Productions was fined $ 136,793 (£ 104,810), the maximum allowed by state law in New Mexico, following a six-month investigation by the state’s Department of Environment.
Baldwin and the producers of Rust also face a case brought by screenplay supervision Mamie Mitchell, though a Los Angeles judge recently ruled that they shouldn’t have to address her core claims of aggression and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
