Alec Baldwin has sentence enhancement dropped in shooting case

Prosecutors have dropped possible charge that could have carried mandatory five-year sentence

Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP

A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP

The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP

A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP

Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP

Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal

A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP

A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP

Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP

A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP

A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP

A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP

New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters

Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

Prosecutors have dropped the possibility of a sentencing enhancement that could have carried a mandatory five-year term for Alec Baldwin over a fatal film-set shooting, according to court filings made public on Monday.

The actor-producer's attorneys had earlier objected to the enhancement, saying it was unconstitutional because it was added after the October 2021 shooting.

“The prosecutors committed a basic legal error by charging Mr Baldwin under a version of the firearm-enhancement statue that did not exist on the date of the accident,” his lawyers said in an earlier filing.

Baldwin's lawyer declined to comment.

Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the weapons supervisor on the set of the film Rust, were charged last month with felony involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe.

Authorities said Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Ms Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Ms Hutchins's parents and sister have filed a lawsuit over the shooting after a similar suit filed by her husband and son was settled.

Production is expected to resume this spring on Rust after it was halted after the shooting.

Rust Movie Productions said Ms Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, will be the film’s new executive producer with Blanca Cline as the new cinematographer.

Rust Movie Productions said last week a related documentary will detail the completion of the film and the life of Halyna Hutchins.

Mr Souza will return as director when production resumes, although it is unclear in what state the filming will take place.

Rust Movie Productions officials said the use of “working weapons” and “any form of ammunition” will be prohibited on the movie set.