Alec Baldwin & ‘Rust’ Producers Wrongful Death Settlement Won’t Impact Criminal Investigation, D.A. Says; Final Police Report Expected Soon

deadline.com:

The settlement today between Alec Baldwin and Rust producers with the family of slain  cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the resurrection of the indie Western won’t stop any possible criminal charges claims the Santa Fe District Attorney. “The proposed settlement announced today in Matthew Hutchins’ wrongful death case against Rust movie producers, including Alec Baldwin, in the death of Halyna Hutchins will have no impact on District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis’ ongoing investigation or her ultimate decision whether to file criminal charges in the case,” said Heather Brewer for the Office of the First Judicial District Attorney today after the agreement was made public exclusively by Deadline. “While civil suits are settled privately and often involve financial awards, criminal cases deal only in facts,” Brewer added. “If the facts and evidence warrant criminal charges under New Mexico law then charges will be brought.

No one is above the law.” The long awaited report from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office is in its final stages and could be handed over to D.A.

Carmack-Altweis as soon as next week, we hear. However, in terms of optics it will certainly be a challenge for the D.A. to aggressively pursue Baldwin, who fired the gun that killed DoP Hutchins on October 21, 2021, and fellow Rust producers when the widower of Halyna Hutchins has not only come to a settlement with them, but will now also serve as an executive producer on the film.

Indie Western Rust is set to start filming again in January 2023. As whispers of talks and a potential settlement between the Baldwin, the Rust producers and the Hutchins family have circulated for weeks, the D.A.