American actor/producer Alec Baldwin will not be charged with the shooting of ‘Rust’ Director, Joel Souza even though it was the same bullet that killed cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins that injured him.
The New Mexico DA has said Baldwin will not be charged for injuring Souza because there is no ‘unintentional battery’ charge that would apply.
According to the DA, the only way to characterize the shooting of Souza is an “unintentional battery,” and no such thing exists.
The battery generally required intention and the prosecutors are not alleging that Baldwin had any intention to fire the bullet or hurt anyone. In the case of Hutchins, he is being charged with ‘involuntary manslaughter’, as it was announced last week.
Joel Souza was hospitalized after the shooting on the set of Rust in October 2021. It was recently reported that the filming is due to resume and that he will return to his role of director.
The Sante Fe District Attorney’s office is also seeking the involuntary manslaughter charge for the armourer on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
This is coming amid criticism that the DA has faced since announcing that Baldwin will be charged with manslaughter for the death of Halyna Hutchins.
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