A co-defendant of Alec Baldwin has been convicted of unsafe handling of a gun and handed six months’ probation over the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of movie Rust.
Assistant David Halls was handed the sentence in a plea deal which will also see him fined $500 and given 24 hours of community service.
The charge relates to the death of Halyna Hutchins, who was killed by Baldwin when he unknowingly fired a live round while rehearsing on the set of Western film, Rust.
Prosecutors said that Mr Halls as first assistant director was responsible for set safety on the Hollywood film.
“Halls did not check every round in the gun to confirm it was a dummy round and not a live round," state prosecutor Kari Morrissey said during the plea hearing at Santa Fe District Court.
Under the plea agreement, Mr Halls agreed to testify truthfully at any upcoming hearings or trials.
This includes criminal proceedings against Baldwin and movie armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed over Ms Hutchins’ death.
It remains unclear whether Mr Halls will testify on behalf of the prosecution in a May preliminary hearing where it will be decided whether there is probable cause to try Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed could face a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and fines.
Ms Hutchins died shortly after she was shot on October 21, 2021, during rehearsals on the 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.
He has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and has said he relied on experts on the film set to ensure the firearm was safe to use.
Gutierrez-Reed is also expected to plead not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
