In this picture from video launched by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Alec Baldwin speaks with investigators following a deadly capturing on a film set in Santa Fe, N.M.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office through AP, File

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Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office through AP, File

In this picture from video launched by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Alec Baldwin speaks with investigators following a deadly capturing on a film set in Santa Fe, N.M.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office through AP, File

SANTA FE, N.M. — A codefendant within the case towards actor Alec Baldwin within the deadly 2021 capturing of a cinematographer on a film set in New Mexico was convicted Friday of unsafe dealing with of a firearm and sentenced to 6 months of probation.

Safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls additionally should pay a $500 high-quality, full a gun-safety course and 24 hours of neighborhood service after agreeing to the conviction associated to the demise of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film “Rust.”

Under the plea settlement, Halls agreed to testify in truth at any upcoming hearings or trials. That consists of prison proceedings towards Baldwin and film armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who’ve pleaded not responsible to expenses of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ demise.

Halls appeared briefly by video to waive his proper to problem the negligence cost, as state District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer authorised phrases of a plea settlement with prosecutors.

Defense legal professional Lisa Torraco urged the courtroom to not impose a jail sentence — the utmost attainable penalty was 6 months behind bars — noting that Halls was “extremely traumatized and “rattled” with guilt.

Hutchins died shortly after she was shot on Oct. 21, 2021, during rehearsals on a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the weapon went off; a single live round killed her and wounded director Joel Souza.

If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed might face a most penalty of 18 months in jail and fines.

Torraco stated Halls had checked the rounds within the revolver earlier than handing it to Baldwin to see whether or not they had been dummies or blanks with an explosive. She stated it was “never in anyone’s imagination” that dwell rounds can be within the gun.

“When Ms. Gutierrez-Reed brought the firearm … on set into the church, he did check the firearm,” she stated of Halls. “He wouldn’t have even thought that there was a live round in that, in that gun. … And he, like many others, is extremely traumatized.”

But prosecutor Kari Morrissey stated Halls, a veteran filmmaker of greater than 30 years, failed in his responsibility because the final line of protection for firearms security, and that the deadly capturing befell after two earlier weapons misfires on set.

“Mr. Halls did not check every round that was in the gun to confirm that it was a dummy round and not a live round,” she stated. “He then handed the gun to Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Baldwin began to practice his cross draw. And during that action of practicing the cross draw, the gun went off. And obviously Mrs. Hutchins was struck by the bullet and was killed. That is the factual basis for Mr. Halls taking the no contest plea to the unsafe handling of a deadly weapon.”

In separate regulatory proceedings, office security authorities have asserted Halls shared accountability for figuring out and correcting any hazardous situations associated to firearms security within the film’s manufacturing.

Halls’ sentencing befell on the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Brandon Lee. The son of martial-arts legend Bruce Lee was hit by a .44-caliber slug from a gun that was speculated to have fired a clean whereas filming “The Crow.”

A weekslong preliminary listening to in May will determine whether or not proof towards Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed is ample to proceed to trial.

In her sentencing, Judge Marlowe Sommer confirmed with Halls that he would “testify truthfully in all hearings, trials, or settings involving any and all defendants and co-defendants in this matter.” Prosecutors can reopen the case if Halls violates the phrases of the plea settlement.

Santa Fe’s district legal professional this week appointed two particular prosecutors, Morrissey and Jason Lewis.

The authentic particular prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, resigned following missteps in the initial filing of charges towards Baldwin and objections that her position as a state legislator created conflicting duties.