Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to two charges of involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The Hollywood actor was due in court on Friday for a first appearance hearing, which would have seen details of the charges and his rights read out by a judge.
But Baldwin, 64, entered the pleas on Thursday, waiving his right to a first appearance in court.
The actor will next face a preliminary hearing at a date yet to be set, which will determine whether or not the case will go to trial.
Baldwin was charged by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office last month, over the fatal shooting of Ms Hutchins in October 2021.
The first of the two charges brought against him can be referred to as involuntary manslaughter and requires proof of underlying negligence.
The second charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act, which requires proof that there was more than simple negligence involved in a death.
The DA recently dropped a firearm enhancement to the charge, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail.
Baldwin’s lawyers had argued that the enhancement was “unlawful” and accused the DA of “extraordinary” media briefings against him.
The actor’s legal team said that after the “legally erroneous” enhancement had been rescinded, their own previous motion to have the charge dropped was now “moot”.
In a withdrawal notice filed earlier this week, they said that since the firearm enhancement had carried “the greatest legal penalty” it should have demanded “careful consideration by the government”.
“Instead, a spokesperson for the government immediately issued an extraordinary statement to the media characterising the motion as an ‘attempt to distract’ from the case by Mr Baldwin’s ‘fancy attorneys’,” the notice stated.
Baldwin also faces a separate civil lawsuit, filed on February 9 by the family of Ms Hutchins.
The family are suing Baldwin and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium.
Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent.
In the wake of Baldwin facing prosecution, his lawyers said he is facing “a terrible miscarriage of justice”.
Luke Nikas, of Quinn Emanuel, said last month: “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.
“Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set.
“He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”
READ MORE:
To read the very best of today’s OK! content from breaking news to Royals and TV – CLICK HERE
Love Island's Olivia Hawkins' 'fake friend' revealed as she hits out at Islander
Inside Charlotte Dawson's 'Dubai glam in Blackpool' home – watch OK!'s exclusive tour
Camilla beams at Charles in first public appearance since recovering from Covid
For all your daily celebrity news and gossip, sign up to OK!’s newsletter – CLICK HERE
Source: Read Full Article