The charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the Rust case have changed. Prosecutors have dropped the firearm enhancement charge that was originally brought against the actor in the case of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ death.
This turn of events means that Baldwin will no longer be facing years in prison if found guilty of charges.
Had the actor been convicted of both charges he originally faced — two involuntary manslaughter charges, one with a firearm enhancement — he would have received a mandatory sentence of five years in jail.
"In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust film set," a representative for the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office said.
"The prosecution's priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys."
The Rust film will actually resume production this year, and Baldwin is still set to star in the film. The husband of Hutchins is being brought on as an executive producer.
Baldwin’s attorney told People back in January that the charges against the actor "distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice."
"Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set," the attorney added. "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."
