Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has issued a warning to Alec Baldwin after the embattled Hollywood star reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit over the fatal shooting on the set of his movie “Rust.”
As Slay News reported, Baldwin and Rust Productions reached a settlement with the family of slain cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
However, Carmack-Altwies has warned Baldwin don’t get too comfortable because the criminal probe is ongoing and the settlement will have “no impact” on the district attorney’s investigation.
“The proposed settlement announced today in Matthew Hutchins’ wrongful death case against Rust movie producers, including Alec Baldwin, in the death of Halyna Hutchins will have no impact on District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis’ ongoing investigation or her ultimate decision whether to file criminal charges in the case,” said Heather Brewer, a spokesperson for district attorney’s office.
“While civil suits are settled privately and often involve financial awards, criminal cases deal only in facts,” Brewer added.
“If the facts and evidence warrant criminal charges under New Mexico law then charges will be brought.
“No one is above the law,” she added.
After reaching the settlement, Baldwin issued a statement that said: “We are pleased to announce today the settlement of the civil case filed on behalf of the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
“Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son.
“We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation.”
Joel Souza, the director of “Rust” who was also shot by Baldwin, said: “Those of us who were lucky enough to have spent time with Halyna knew her to be exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy.
“I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, as it surely would have through her amazing work.
“In my own attempts to heal, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family.
“Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started.
“My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud.
“It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf.”
Halyna Hutchins’ husband Matthew Hutchins said:
“We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed.
“The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023.
“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.”
The Hutchins original lawsuit read:
“Defendant Baldwin, the Producers, and the Rust Production Companies were aware of firearms safety issues that had occurred on the set of Rust and did not take action to correct the situation and ensure that basic gun safety rules were followed on October 21, 2021
“Had Defendant Baldwin, the Producers, and the Rust Production Companies taken adequate precautions to ensure firearm safety on the set of Rust or if basic firearm safety rules had been followed on the set of Rust on October 21, 2021, Halyna Hutchins would be alive and well, hugging her husband and nine-year-old son,” the lawsuit said.
