It took more than a year, but killer Alec Baldwin is finally facing an appropriate charge.

News release from DA Mary Carmack-Altwies on charges against Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
“Rust” actor and producer Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the film’s Santa Fe County set in 2021.

Assistant director David Halls has signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The terms include a suspended sentence and six months of probation. A copy of the plea agreement will be available after it has been filed with the court.

As I’ve explained before, involuntary manslaughter — a felony — appears to be the most appropriate charge for Baldwin. I don’t think he had any intent (required for a murder charge) to kill Hutchins, but he willfully broke every firearms safety rule there is.

Given Gutierrez-Reed’s actions and inactions, involuntary manslaughter also sounds right. Based on police reports, I think they could also nail her on tampering with evidence, but it doesn’t appear she’s been charged with that.

In fact, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed are facing two, alternate charges. And that worries me just a bit.

The first charge can be referred to simply as involuntary manslaughter. For this charge to be proved there must be underlying negligence. Under New Mexico law, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. This charge also includes the misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a firearm, which would likely merge as a matter of law.

The other charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act. This charge requires proof that there was more than simple negligence involved in a death. This is also a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in jail and up to a $5000 fine.

With the misdemeanor “negligent use” charge included, this might give Baldwin some room to plea bargain. I hope, for the sake of justice, that this doesn’t happen.

Halls’ misdemeanor negligent use charge is about right for him. He seemingly “merely” handed Baldwin a loaded weapon without checking it. Stupid; but he wasn’t primarily responsible for the status of the firearm (that would start with the idiot armorer), and he wasn’t the lethal lunatic who pulled the ttrigger: Baldwin himself.

I know many people would like to see Baldwin face a more serious murder charge, seeing how often he’s run off at the mouth about guns and other people; but involuntary manslaughter, as defined in New Mexico law, best fits the circumstances and more much more easily proved in court than murder.

Barring a generous plea deal for a Hollywood name, this — and the civil suits — is the best shot at something resembling justice.