Alec Baldwin Still in Trouble Despite Reaching Settlement With Halyna Hutchins' Family — Here's Why
Alec Baldwin is not yet free from receiving criminal charges despite reaching an undisclosed settlement with Halyna Hutchin's family.
Over a year after the "Rust" shooting incident occurred, Baldwin and Hutchins' family finally settled the wrongful-death lawsuit about the cinematographer's passing.
The Wednesday settlement, per Reuters, included both parties' agreement to resume the film's production in January 2023. Joel Souza will continue as director after getting wounded in the incident; Baldwin and the other characters will play their respective roles.
As the cinematographer died while making the film, her husband Matthew Hutchins will serve as the executive producer.
"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," Hutchins said.
The family filed the wrongful death lawsuit on February 15 and insisted that Baldwin, the movie's companies, producers, and crew members violated the movie industry's standard rules.
The Rust Movie Productions, LLC has since broken its silence regarding the new development, expressing its positive feelings after the parties resolve the matter to celebrate Hutchins' life and honor her work by continuing the film.
But despite the settlement, Baldwin is yet to clear his name from potential charges.
Will Alec Baldwin Be Jailed Despite Recent Agreement With Halyna Hutchins' Family?
Amid the news, a spokesperson for the Santa Fe District Attorney clarified to CNN that it would not affect the ongoing criminal probe in the case despite the settlement agreement.
Office of the First Judicial District Attorney of New Mexico's Heather Brewer argued that criminal cases deal with facts. If the investigation finds that criminal charges are possible under New Mexico law, then charges will be served to the people involved.
Brewer added that this is the way to show "no one is above the law."
Baldwin has been named as one of the "Rust" people who could be charged soon.
Last month, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies filed a request for an emergency fund worth $635,500 as they are reportedly near to charging people. Carmack-Altwies told the New Mexico Board of Finance during the meeting that they are a few weeks, if not days, away from receiving the final report.
