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Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust
Photo: - / AFP
Hollywood star Alec Baldwin, who was charged with manslaughter after being shot dead while filming a western, has pleaded not guilty.
The 64-year-old informed the court in the US state of New Mexico in writing on Thursday – and at the same time stated that he wanted to refrain from appearing at a hearing scheduled for Friday.
This will not take place now, the court said.
A few days earlier, Baldwin had won the case: At the request of his lawyers, prosecutors had dropped a more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the use of firearms against the actor.
Now, if found guilty, Baldwin could get away with a significantly reduced sentence.
Baldwin still faces a possible sentence of 18 months in prison.
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is also charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Camerawoman Halyna Hutchins was fatally injured in October 2021 while filming the western »Rust« at a film ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, who served as lead actor and producer on the film, was holding a gun in rehearsal for a scene when a shot went off.
The projectile struck first Hutchins and then director Joel Souza in the shoulder.
Investigations revealed that the Colt had a real bullet lodged in it.
Baldwin and the armorer had always denied responsibility for the fatal accident.
Filming is set to continue in Montana
The western is now scheduled to finish filming in the US state of Montana.
Filming is set to resume in the spring at Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, northern United States, the producers said.
In addition to the criminal investigation, a civil trial is ongoing.
The parents and sister of the dead camerawoman are demanding compensation.
Widower Matthew Hutchins also filed a civil suit against Baldwin and other contributors in February 2022.
In October, he announced that an out-of-court settlement had been reached and the lawsuit settled.
kfr/dpa