Rust Productions fined $100,000 over Halyna Hutchins's shooting

The production company acknowledges losing a cinematographer due to a fatal shooting for Rust and has conceded to paying the New Mexico Environment Department's OHSB a $100,000 fine. The bureau imposed a fine of $136,793 on the production company in April, the maximum allowed under New Mexico law. It has downgraded its claim from a "wilful-serious" violation to an "important" one awaiting approval. The agreement with OHSB, which the Board can only approve, reduces the penalties and downgrades the citation, according to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman senior counsel Melina Spadone.

Reason to complete the movie soon

Halyna Hutchins' life and work have always been our top priorities, so we are committed to finishing the film as soon as possible. To achieve that goal, we would be better served if we settled this case instead of litigating it. Following the death of cinematographer Oscar Grant, Alec Baldwin entered a not-guilty plea to two charges of involuntary manslaughter. On Thursday, the 64-year-old pleaded guilty and will have a preliminary hearing. This hearing will decide whether he'll go to trial. As per the report, the Santa Fe District Attorney's office charged the actor over Halyna Hutchins' death in October 2021. A prop gun Baldwin fired on the set of Rust in October 2021 killed Hutchins, who also sustained injuries from the film's director.

An argument for the judgement

The 42-year-old actress died of injuries after being airlifted to a hospital from the New Mexico set. Involuntary manslaughter is Baldwin's first charge, and negligence must be proven to succeed. Secondly, an involuntary manslaughter charge must demonstrate more than mere negligence to prove it was committed. An enhancement for firearms was dropped, which would have mandated a mandatory five-year prison sentence if the crime were committed with a weapon. The DA's attorneys accused Baldwin of "extraordinary" media briefings against him and argued that Baldwin's enhancement was "unlawful."

When will the shooting resume?

Considering rescinding the "legally erroneous enhancement, " the actor's defense team said the charge should now be dropped. Earlier this spring, producers plan to resume filming for Rust. The movie's producers announced that Montana filming would resume in the coming weeks. Several original crew members were reported returning to the project, including cinematographer Bianca Cline who will replace Hutchins. The starring role and producer roles will remain with Alec Baldwin.

Also Read: Halyna Hutchins's Net worth