Hollywood Comes to Alec Baldwin's Defense Following Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

In a shocking turn of events, actor Alec Baldwin was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter by a New Mexico grand jury on January 19th. The charge stems from the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021. However, Baldwin is now receiving support from the Hollywood community, as the union representing over 150,000 actors, SAG-AFTRA, released a statement on Thursday defending the actor.

SAG-AFTRA stated that it is not an actor's responsibility to inspect firearms on set. They emphasized that actors are not expected to be firearms or weapons experts and that the use of firearms on set is under the guidance of multiple expert professionals who are directly responsible for their safe and accurate operation. The union's statement challenges the notion that Baldwin had a duty to inspect the firearm involved in the tragic incident.

Alec Baldwin's attorneys have filed a request for a speedy trial, highlighting the importance of a fair and timely resolution to the charges. They argue that a speedy disposition is necessary to minimize public vilification and suspicion and to avoid the difficulties of proving innocence that often arise after lengthy delays in a prosecution. Baldwin's indictment was announced after a New Mexico grand jury reviewed evidence presented by special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis.

"We look forward to our day in court," said Baldwin's attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel, expressing their eagerness to present their case. If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison, though a trial date has yet to be set.

Gloria Allred, the lawyer representing Hutchins' family, expressed her anticipation for the criminal trial that will determine Baldwin's culpability in the untimely death of the cinematographer. Allred's statement came after NBC News exclusively obtained several videos in November, showing Baldwin handling at least one prop gun and interacting with crew members during the filming of scenes for "Rust." The footage reveals Baldwin preparing for scenes, firing the guns, and acting in character. In two of the videos, he expresses concerns about crew members' safety and attempts to rearrange them.

As the case unfolds, the entertainment industry is left grappling with the tragic incident and the complexities surrounding on-set safety protocols. The support Baldwin is receiving from Hollywood raises questions about the division of responsibility between actors and the professionals responsible for ensuring a safe working environment. The upcoming trial will undoubtedly shed light on these issues and determine the fate of Alec Baldwin in the aftermath of this devastating accident.