'Rust' tragedy: Alec Baldwin should not be charged in criminal case over shooting death of Halyna Hutchins

In New Mexico on Thursday state prosecutors announced two counts of involuntary manslaughter against actor Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust.'

Deaths and injuries caused by tragic mishaps are properly the stuff of civil lawsuits, which frequently yield hefty financial judgments. Actor Alec Baldwin ( ) Alec Baldwin posted an ominous message on his Instagram about "big changes." (Jim Spellman) Hilaria Baldwin and husband Alec welcomed a baby girl in September named Ilaria. The couple (pictured in 2021) have been married for 10 years. (Jason Mendez) Alec Baldwin (pictured two weeks before the incident in New Mexico) is fighting back against the FBI report from fatal "Rust" set shooting. The Santa Fe medical investigator deemed the incident an accident. (Mark Sagliocco) Actor Alec Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger of the gun, but instead pulled the hammer back and released it. (Fox News Digital) Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review. Follow him on Twitter @andrewcmccarthy

Also charged in both counts is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the so-called armorer for the film’s production. The shooting occurred on the set at a ranch in Bonanza City, N.M. That’s about 13 miles south of Santa Fe County, whose Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive investigation but did not make a charging recommendation. First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis decided to file criminal charges.

In addition to the evidence developed in the sheriff’s report, the prosecution will rely on the testimony of a third defendant. Dave Halls, the first assistant director on the film project, agreed to plead guilty to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. Assuming the court agrees to the plea-bargain terms (which courts typically do), Hall will be sentenced to six months probation, evading a term of incarceration.