Could Alec Baldwin go to jail for the shot that killed the chief cinematographer on the film Rust?
Criminal lawyer Vance Owen explained in an interview with CNN the complexity of the case and the factors to study for its resolution.
"Alec (Baldwin) was sitting on a church pew on the set, practicing drawing it," reports the document that this Monday provided more details after the accident in which the director of photography Halyna Hutchins died.
The team was shooting a low-budget western called "Rust" in the southern US state of New Mexico.
Baldwin was rehearsing a scene in which he pointed a prop pistol at the camera lens when he fatally shot the cinematographer, according to new details of the tragedy released Monday. The director looked over the shoulder of the 42-year-old cinematographer, who was shot in the torso on Thursday and she was pronounced dead hours later.
Criminal lawyer Vance Owen believes that Alec Baldwin "should not have referred to what happened" on the set of the film Rust, in which he accidentally killed the director of photography Halyna Hutchins, this after firing a gun that apparently was downloaded.
The specialist offered statements on CNN, referring to the law that governs the State of New Mexico (where the accident occurred) in cases of involuntary manslaughter.
The lawyer also presented his views on the penalty that the actor could face in these cases, in addition, he mentioned that if he had been the actor's lawyer, he would have suggested keeping silent because the investigation is just beginning.
"The case is still in its infancy and all the details of what happened are not known, perhaps he should have saved his comments for a time when the investigation is more developed and more is known about this tragedy. Those initial statements will now be able to be used by tax or civil attorneys against him if there is a civil lawsuit for economic damages, ”the specialist told CNN.
Lawyer Owen also stated that in addition to Baldwin, the protagonist and producer of Rust, other people could be found guilty after the investigation and therefore face a custodial sentence.
"The study of the New Mexico Law indicates that it could occur under a proven case, which obviously has to be proven and the prosecutors would have to establish each element of the crime of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin or perhaps other producers or production company So there is still a long way to go, but that is the maximum penalty of 18 months in the state of New Mexico, if it is found guilty, be it Alec Baldwin or other participants in the film. "
He also specified details on the issue related to involuntary manslaughter.
“New Mexico has a law called involuntary manslaughter and that is the biggest risk that I would see for Alec Baldwin. This can happen when a person is incompetent and maybe they can show that Alec did not have the competence to be handling this weapon. "
"This type of prop weapon continues to be or can be a lethal weapon even though blank cartridges or salvoes are being used because the cartridges themselves contain or come out wadding, primers or cartridges - laminated materials - that killed, for example, the son Bruce Lee, he recalled. The biggest risk is if they decide it was involuntary manslaughter that carries 18 months in prison and a $ 5,000 fine, ”he specified.
On the other hand, the Spanish newspaper ABC offered information indicating that during the recording of Rust the security protocols that are standardized by the industry were not followed. They also did not have measures related to Covid-19 and part of the team, including cameramen, had withdrawn in protest at the alleged poor working conditions, such as strenuous hours, the need to travel long distances due to the failure to pay for their accommodation and delays with the Payments. (I)
