Alec Baldwin; Halyna Hutchins.Photo: Rachel Luna/WireImage; Mat Hayward/Getty/AMC Networks
The family ofHayla Hutchins, the cinematographer shot and killed on the set ofRust, stands behind the prosecutor’s decision to file criminal charges againstAlec Baldwinand Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
“Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law,” Panish added. “We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
For more on this story, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of theRustfilm crew,” Carmack-Altwies said in the statement. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
Halyna Hutchins.Fred Hayes/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Reeb added, “If any one of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple. The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on theRustfilm set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”
Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel said in a statement Thursday, “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.”
Alec Baldwin.Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images
Matthew, who shares son Andros with Hutchins, said in a statement at the time, “I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
In December, Baldwin’s wifeHilaria BaldwintoldExtrathat the October 2021 incidentweighs heavy on their family.
“I worry about him,” she said. “… I mean, can you imagine? Nobody can. There was so much confusion to understand what had happened.”
“When you go through something hard, you know not every day is going to be the same,” continued Hilaria. “You have moments in the day that are very hard. Nights are hard. Nightmares are hard. So I’m just there, and I say, ‘I’m here and I’m going to take care of you,’ and I said that from the moment we realized what had happened.”
She added, “We’re not okay. We can’t be okay. No one is okay. It was, and is, a tragedy that nobody could ever have imagined. I mean, the loss of her, Halyna. Her son, a little son, her family, her co-workers, the people who loved her, her fans. I mean, she was an incredible, incredible woman in so many different ways.”
source: people.com
