Experts say that Alec Baldwin could be accused in two ways: as an actor and producer

As the events that led to the actor become known Alec Balwin to shoot a fellow filmmaker, flies over the question of who, if anyone, will be held responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins.

The authorities did not arrest anyone, but prosecutors do not rule out filing criminal charges against those involved in this tragedy that last Thursday shook the set filming of western low budget Rust, in New Mexico.

Legal experts told the AFP that, theoretically, prosecutors can explore Two ways to accuse Baldwin: as the actor who pulled the trigger during a rehearsal or as the producer of the film.

Although all agree that it is unlikely that Baldwin will be criminally charged with having fired the weapon he received from the assistant director Dave Halls, who told “Cold gun”, term used in film jargon to affirm that it is a weapon is safe.

“Reasonably, it appears that he believed it was not a loaded gun.”said University of Southern California law professor Gregory Keating.

For the crime of involuntary manslaughter to be considered, there must be reckless behavior. “Alec Baldwin doesn’t seem to have much responsibility … the further away he is from the person in charge of the gun, the less likely it is”said to the AFP criminal defense attorney Richard Kaplan, from the firm Kaplan Marino.

Baldwin said in a statement that he is “cooperating fully with the police investigation to learn how this tragedy occurred.”

“It is not personal”

Rust has 12 credited producers and executive producers, one of which is Baldwin.

That title has a range of meanings in Hollywood, from the person with the highest authority on the set to someone who helps raise money early in a movie’s production.

It is still unknown who of those 12 was in charge of hiring the members of the filming team and who was in charge of applying the safety regulations.

The producer has not responded to inquiries from the AFP.

“I personally believe that [Baldwin] it’s too far away “Kaplan said. “When you’re a front-line actor and you’re a producer (…) it’s really just for financial reasons.”

“It seems just an investor”Keating agreed, referring to Baldwin’s role as a producer.

Apart from the criminal investigation, experts consider it highly probable that the hutchins family and the director of the film, Joel Souza, who was also injured in the shooting, file a lawsuit.

The complaints will probably be against the producer of the film, as well as against “Anyone who has been remotely in contact with the weapon”said the legal advisor Bryan Sullivan. “I anticipate that everyone is going to be sued.”

According to Sullivan, Baldwin is likely to be the focus of any civil lawsuit because of his fortune and because his fame would help attract media coverage.

“I doubt the deputy director has a substantial estate, so the plaintiff’s attorney will want to appoint Alec Baldwin to get the money.”he added.

Legal experts point to other members of the film who could be the subject of lawsuits. Among them, Halls and the gunsmith from the movie, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

The role of the gunsmith is to supply and keep the weapons in custody during filming.

The website specialized in entertainment The Wrap reported that team members had been using the weapons hours before the incident that killed Hutchins.

Neither Gutiérrez-Reed nor Halls could be reached for comment.

Members of the team Rust they had complained about the failure to comply with the filming protocols. A gun was mistakenly fired at least twice on set in the days leading up to Hutchins’ death, according to multiple US media.

Ultimately, for any attorney representing the family of the deceased, the goal of the civil action “is not personal,” Kaplan said. “They’re just trying to get everything they can for the family.” (I)