Alec Baldwin is due to appear in court for the first time regarding the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins this Friday.
However, the 64-year-old actor received some good news from his perspective after it was revealed that the charges that he faces have been reduced.
Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in relation to Hutchins' death in October 2021. The mother-of-one was shot by a gun fired by Baldwin, who says he was unaware that it contained live rounds.
Now, the second involuntary manslaughter charge has been dropped, which means that the possible prison sentence that Baldwin may face has gone from a minimum of five years to a maximum of 18 months.
The second charge requires proof that there was more than simple negligence involved in a death - including by firearm - but only came into law after the tragic October 2021 event had occurred. Baldwin's legal team had argued against it for that reason.
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for the firearms on set and faces the same charges as Baldwin, also had the same charge reduced.
Baldwin has always denied pulling the trigger of the gun, but an FBI investigation concluded that the gun "functioned normally" and would not have fired without the trigger being pulled.
Ms. Hutchins' family, meanwhile, are suing Baldwin and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium.
