The judge in Alec Baldwin’s fatal shooting case has issued the first official punishment by banning the embattled Hollywood star from consuming alcohol and using firearms.
The ruling came after Baldwin pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
He now faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
The Santa Fe D.A. claims Baldwin acted with “criminal negligence.”
The judge issued Baldwin’s first official punishment after allowing the actor to remain free without having to post bond.
The court ruled that the Hollywood star cannot consume alcohol or possess firearms or dangerous weapons.
He must maintain contact with his attorney and obey all “federal, state, tribal, local laws, statutes and ordinances.”
Baldwin is allowed to contact potential witnesses but only “in connection with completing the ‘Rust’ movie and other related and unrelated business matters.”
He cannot talk about the “accident at issue or the substance of his or the witnesses’ potential testimony in the case.”
The court defined related business matters as those “designed to capture finishing the movie, promoting the movie and other similar activities.”
The court defined unrelated business matters are “designed to capture other business relationships between Baldwin and any of the witnesses.”
Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty and waived his first court appearance after being charged with involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting on the set of his film “Rust,” court officials announce. https://t.co/zx8neQmTgA
— ABC News (@ABC) February 24, 2023
Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty in shooting, can still work https://t.co/rcmDx68rmL pic.twitter.com/0OBUTjk47a
— The Hill (@thehill) February 24, 2023
According to Yahoo:
Both Baldwin — a co-producer and the lead actor — and the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for the weapon on set, face two alternative counts of voluntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors often level alternative charges because it increases the likelihood of a conviction, giving a jury greater scope to return a guilty verdict.
If found guilty, they face up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
An enhancement to the charge that could have increased the maximum sentence by five years was dropped by New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies this week.
READ MORE: Alec Baldwin Snaps, Yells at Reporter in New York City
