It’s been more than two years since we learned of the tragic killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the since-canceled movie Rust at the hands of actor Alec Baldwin. How the investigation into what was almost certainly an accidental shooting in front of that many witnesses has stretched on for this long remains a mystery, but the prosecutors looking into the case will be releasing their findings today in New Mexico. The written statement is expected to be given to the press at 9 a.m. mountain time. (11:00 eastern.) The number of people who could potentially be found culpable in that debacle is large, but most of the focus remains on the question of whether Baldwin himself will be heading to trial. The actor has maintained his innocence throughout the process, though his story has changed at various times and some of his claims have not stood up well under scrutiny. (NY Post)

Prosecutors will reveal Thursday whether they intend to bring charges in the fatal shooting on the set of Alec Baldwin’s “Rust” that left a cinematographer dead.

The announcement on potential criminal charges will come from New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb in a written statement shared at 9 a.m. mountain standard time.

Baldwin shot and killed 42-year-old Halyna Hutchins during the setup for a scene in the western movie at a Santa Fe ranch in October 2021. The Oscar-nominated actor pointed a pistol at Hutchins when the weapon went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

A spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office said that the announcement will be “a solemn occasion, made in a manner keeping with the office’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the judicial process and respecting the victim’s family.” It’s good to see them reinforcing that point So much of the hoopla over this case has centered on Baldwin and his production crew, but the focus really should be on the family of Halyna Hutchins, who have waited all this time to find out what sort of justice will be delivered in response to their loss.

I’ve maintained from the beginning that this had to be an accidental shooting, so there shouldn’t be any reason for a charge of murder or intentional manslaughter to be on the table. And the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico ruled it to be an accident after the autopsy was completed. But the level of incompetence and carelessness demonstrated by everyone involved in the chain of possession of the firearm and the ammunition (from the weapons specialist to the producer to Baldwin himself and everyone in between) clearly might suggest some sort of negligent homicide.

Keep in mind that Baldwin has insisted from the beginning that he never pulled the trigger of the revolver. But a forensic inspection of the weapon conducted after the event determined that it could not have discharged without the trigger being pulled. Also, there were other unintentional discharges of firearms reported on the set of the film prior to Hutchins being killed.

The family of Hutchins reached a settlement with the Rust producers, including Baldwin last October. But the prosecutors in the case have already said that the civil suit will not have any impact on their findings. If charges do wind up being filed, this saga could still easily stretch on for a couple of years. We’ll update this story when the decision is announced.

UPDATE: (Jazz)

We’ll have more on this in a different article today, but both Alec Baldwin and the armorer were charged with involuntary manslaughter.