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Halyna Hutchins death: Alec Baldwin failed to undergo arms training on 'Rust' set, formally charged with manslaughter

Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the head armorer of 'Rust', may face up to five years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: In a 10-page probable cause affidavit, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has listed a series of safety violations on the 'Rust' film set which lead to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The DA finds Alec Baldwin directly related to the violations as he has been now formally charged with involuntary manslaughter by Santa Fe, Mexico.

Along with Baldwin is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's head armorer, who is also charged with involuntary manslaughter. They're both facing up to five years in prison if convicted.

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'Finger on the trigger'

The DA, as per charging documents seen by TMZ, stated, "Baldwin knew the drill ... that the armorer should have been present, checking the gun to make sure it was safe, and Baldwin knew that ... yet he relied on the assistant director who had no authority to clear the weapon for use."

Furthermore, Baldwin who was supposed to undergo "thirty minutes of arms training" failed to do so as he was "on his cellphone for most of that time speaking with his family." As per the report, the DA also emphasized on TV interviews Baldwin did, claiming not to have fired the weapon. The DA claimed, "There are numerous images and videos that unmistakably show Baldwin with his finger on the trigger."

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed 'lacked experience'

As per the DA, Gutierrez-Reed lacked the necessary credentials and experience for the position and as the film's producer, Baldwin should never have approved her hiring. Even Baldwin had violated the first rule of gun safety which says never point a firearm, loaded or not, at another person. The DA further says Baldwin acted in 40 films which had guns as an integral part so he should have known all the protocols.

'I’m glad celebrities are not immune'

"Charge Alec, charge everyone involved and shut that production down. Anyone who watches that film is a disgrace. A woman died because Alec shot her," a user reacted. One more wrote, "Never really believed in charging someone with manslaughter, but I’m glad celebrities are not immune". One more reacted, "The statement of probable cause was very well written..reminds me of how Vinnie was complimenting the judicial system in small town Walterboro...smaller town does not mean a poorer quality justice system." One person said, "I don’t understand why Baldwin would be charged. He’s using a prop that the professional weapon handler gave him?"

Baldwin, however, has vowed to fight the charges. He reiterates that he never pulled the trigger and that it was a tragic accident. 

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