The defense attorney helping Alec Baldwin fight a felony manslaughter charge over the 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins on the movie set of Rust is ready to throw everything against New Mexico prosecutors, according to an insider.
Alex Spiro, a go-to for celebrities battling legal woes, has been hailed as a ‘force of nature’ and is credited for faultless jury trial track record.
Now, more than two years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died from being shot on the set of his ill-fated western film, a grand jury announced on Friday a decision to charge Baldwin for a second time.
A source tells DailyMail.com that Spiro will be throwing his weight behind Baldwin who faces 18 months in prison if convicted of the involuntary manslaughter charge.
‘The prosecutors in New Mexico have have no idea what they’re in for,’ a lawyer familiar with Alex Spiro’s work said. ‘Alex is a force of nature’.
Baldwin in his initial police interview on the day of the accident. He has always maintained that he did not pull the trigger
Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins, along with other cast, are pictured on the Rust set
An insider warns New Mexico prosecutors ‘have no idea what they’re in for’ as A-lister attorney Alex Spiro prepares to help Baldwin’s fight the charge
The grand jury indictment charges Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others’ safety
The Miami-based lawyer is known for working with high profile names – his client list has included Jay-Z, Naomi Osaka, Elon Musk and Megan Thee Stallion as well as NBA basketball stars and famed athletes.
While he is also takes on lesser-known cases, the Harvard law graduate has earned a reputation for getting the job done after launching his career at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office as an assistant DA.
‘My instincts are often to rally behind people that are under attack,’ Spiro previously told Vanity Fair.
The indictment was returned on Friday and charges Baldwin on the grounds of negligent use of a firearm and disregard for others’ safety.
Previous charges, filed by New Mexico prosecutors, were dismissed in April last year.
In a statement, Spiro and co-council Luke Nikas said: ‘We look forward to our day in court.’
Gloria Allred, the attorney for Halyna’s parents and sister, said in a statement: ‘Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021.
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital
Baldwin with his wife Hilaria and their seven kids in October
The actor was seen lingering outside the park lot of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s offices after facing questions over the accidental shooting in 2021
‘They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit for them and they also would like there to be accountability in the criminal justice system.
‘The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter.
‘We are looking forward to the criminal trial which will determine if he should be convicted for the untimely death of Halyna.’
Baldwin has always maintained that he followed gun safety laws, and that the fault lies with the armorer or crew who handed him a weapon loaded with a live round.
He insists he confirmed that the gun was ‘cold’ when he took it to rehearse the scene in question.
‘We’ve done this for two weeks and we’ve done it the right way every day. Right before you shoot. I went to lunch.
‘She disarmed me – Hannah – she always handled the gun. I come back, they hand me the revolver – Hannah – they arm me. You’re assuming it’s a cold gun. I put the gag in the shot.
‘I take the gun out , as it clears – I turn and cock the gun and the gun goes off. It’s supposed to be a cold gun. Bang, she [Hutchins] hits the ground. [Joel Souza] goes down, screaming going “Jesus Christ!”
‘I have never seen this before… What came out of that bullet that went through her shoulder?…. She was right in front of me,’ he said.
Baldwin was sued by Halyna’s widower, Matthew, in 2022 but settled the lawsuit with an undisclosed sum.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, found herself at the center of the scandal almost immediately after the shooting
Baldwin
The gun fired by Baldwin on the ‘Rust’ set shooting
He also made Matthew an executive producer on the film, which will resume production in Los Angeles.
Shortly afterwards, Matthew released a statement saying: ‘There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hucthins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours.
‘I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how his tragedy occurred.’
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, it emerged that the production had been plagued with staff complaints.
Days before the incident, several members of the crew even walked-off set.
Their complaints included concerns over Dave Halls, the assistant director, who’d been accused in the past of running unsafe sets.
Some said they were forced to sleep in their cars next to the set, because hotel rooms next to the set were too expensive. Instead, their rooms were booked in Santa Fe, which is a 30 minute drive from Bonanza Creek Ranch, the location of the set.
In the aftermath of Hutchins’ death, Baldwin gave an emotional interview where he insisted he was not to blame
Baldwin was sued by Halyna’s widower, Matthew, in 2022 but settled the lawsuit with an undisclosed sum
They also complained about long hours, and claimed they weren’t receiving pay checks on time.
Almost immediately, attention turned to the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, a 24-year-old whose father was well-known in the industry, who had slim experience in the role.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, found herself at the center of the scandal almost immediately.
Her track record emerged quickly, with former colleagues rushing to talk about how ‘careless’ she was on past sets, how she’d ‘waved guns around’ and had even handed one to a child actress.
She hired a group of attorneys who immediately started firing out statements to combat the claims.