Alec Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter in a case involving the death of a cameraman Halina Hutchinswho was shot on the sets of Rust 2021 in New Mexico.

What happened: The Armorer of Western Movies, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also facing a similar charge, according to the District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwiesreported Reuters.

Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikes said, “This decision distorts the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins and constitutes a terrible miscarriage of justice.” Hutchins’ family welcomed the decision, according to the report.

Why it matters: Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed are set to face two counts of manslaughter in the “alternative,” meaning a jury must decide if they’re guilty and also under what definition of manslaughter, Reuters noted.

Involuntary manslaughter carries an 18-month jail term and a $5,000 fine. If prosecutors can prove more than simple negligence, the two face a mandatory five-year prison sentence, according to the report.

The Hutchins family sued Baldwin in 2021, claiming he was responsible for checking the gun he pointed at the cameraman, and eventually reached a settlement in which Matt Hutchins reportedly became executive producer of “Rust.” .

The incident occurred in the middle of Rust’s Santa Fe County filming or rehearsals. The film’s director, Joel Souza, was injured during filming.

Continue reading: Is Alec Baldwin trying to blame his asst? Director for ‘Rust’ Shooting Death?