Alec Baldwin challenges New Mexico prosecutors over extra gun-related cost in ‘Rust’ case

Alec Baldwin is asking a New Mexico courtroom to throw out an enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter prices towards him that will result in a five-year jail sentence if he was convicted.

In a movement filed Friday, Baldwin’s attorneys argued that the actor has been unlawfully charged with a so-called firearm-enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter cost in reference to the deadly capturing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021.

The present model of the fire-enhancement statute was not enacted till Might 18, 2022, seven months after the lethal capturing on the western film ‘Rust,’ attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel argued of their movement.

“The prosecutors on this case have dedicated an unconstitutional and elementary authorized error by charging Mr. Baldwin below a statute that didn’t exist on the date of the accident,” the attorneys for Baldwin wrote of their movement filed in New Mexico’s 1st Judicial District Courtroom on Friday.

Baldwin has denied culpability, citing negligence by different crew members. The actor, who was additionally a producer within the movie, has stated that he didn’t pull the set off of the prop gun that unintentionally discharged throughout a rehearsal, killing Hutchins and injuring the movie’s director Joel Souza.

If granted, the movement could be a setback for prosecutors of their case towards Baldwin, who additionally faces a string of lawsuits from the Hutchins household and crew members. This week, Hutchins’ dad and mom and sister sued Baldwin and different producers and crew members for battery and negligence.

Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter; a jury can solely decide one of many prices. If discovered responsible of both, Baldwin may face 18 months in jail. However one of many two prices, prosecutors have stated, carries a five-year necessary jail time period as a result of a firearm was concerned.

“One other day, one other movement from Alec Baldwin and his attorneys in an try to distract from the gross negligence and full disregard for security on the “Rust” movie set that led to Halyna Hutchins’ loss of life,” stated Heather Brewer, spokesperson, New Mexico First Judicial District Lawyer. “The District Lawyer and the particular prosecutor will evaluate all motions–even these given to the media earlier than being served to the DA.”

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The movement is the newest problem Baldwin’s authorized camp have made to 1st Judicial Dist. Atty. Mary Carmack-Altwies and particular prosecutor Andrea Reeb.

Earlier this week, Baldwin requested the courtroom to have Reeb disqualified from the case, arguing the New Mexico Structure prevents her as a state legislator from concurrently holding a place within the judicial or govt department of presidency.

This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.