It has been over two years since the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of western film 'Rust' in October 2021 - but her family may finally find some closure in the coming weeks.
Hollywood star Alec Baldwin, who allegedly fired the gun that killed the 44-year-old and wounded director Joel Souza, was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter.
However, those charges were dropped in April 2023 - but were reinstated last October after a new prosecution team claimed that new evidence has come to light "that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza", they said.
Baldwin and the on-set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both charged again with involuntary manslaughter, and his first court date in New Mexico is set for next Thursday, February 1st.
The summons requires that he "appear before Judge T. Glenn Ellington, on-February 1, 2024, at 11 a.m.", although he does not have to attend the court in person and may appear via phone or video link.
Baldwin's legal team issued a statement that said "Mr. Baldwin asserts his right to a speedy trial as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, Article 2, Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution. Mr. Baldwin is entitled to a fair and speedy disposition of the charges to minimize public vilification and suspicion and to avoid the hazards of proving his innocence that often arise after lengthy delays in prosecution."
Baldwin, who has repeatedly denied pulling the trigger on the gun, faces 18 months to three years in jail if found guilty.
