Deadly “Rest” Shoot: Assistant Director gets suspended sentence

After the death of camerawoman Halyna Hutchins while shooting a movie with Hollywood star Alec Baldwin, there is now a first conviction. Assistant director David Halls, 63, who was also responsible for security on the set of the western “Rust”, was given a six-month suspended prison sentence on Friday (local time). The New Mexico judge also imposed a fine and required Halls to take a gun safety course.

Halls, who was charged with negligent handling of a deadly weapon, previously pleaded guilty. In return, he avoided a possible prison sentence.

Baldwin, 64, and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed are charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case. Both had recently confessed to being innocent. In the event of a guilty verdict, they risk a prison sentence of up to 18 months.

Hutchins was fatally injured during filming at a movie ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021. Baldwin, who served as the film’s lead actor and producer, was holding a gun during rehearsal for a scene when a shot went off. There was a real bullet in the Colt. It is unclear how the live ammunition ended up on the set. Among other things, Halls should have checked all cartridges in the weapon. Baldwin and the gunsmith have always denied responsibility for the fatal accident. (saw/sda/dpa)