By Morgan Lee|Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M.-- A codefendant in the case against star Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on a film set in New Mexico was convicted Friday of risky handling of a firearm and sentenced to 6 months of probation.

Security organizer and assistant director David Halls also should pay a $500 fine, complete a gun-safety course and 24 hours of social work after accepting the conviction associated to the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie "Rust.".

Under the plea agreement, Halls agreed to affirm honestly at any approaching hearings or trials. That consists of criminal procedures versus Baldwin and motion picture armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who have pleaded innocent to charges of involuntary murder in Hutchins' death.

Halls appeared briefly by video to waive his right to challenge the negligence charge, as state District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer authorized regards to a plea arrangement with district attorneys.

Defense lawyer Lisa Torraco prompted the court not to impose a prison sentence-- the maximum possible penalty was 6 months behind bars-- keeping in mind that Halls was "exceptionally traumatized and "rattled" with guilt.

Hutchins passed away shortly after she was shot on Oct. 21, 2021, throughout practice sessions on a film-set cattle ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the weapon went off; a single live round eliminated her and wounded director Joel Souza.

If convicted of uncontrolled manslaughter, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed could deal with an optimum penalty of 18 months in prison and fines.

Torraco said Halls had actually examined the rounds in the revolver before commending Baldwin to see whether they were dummies or blanks with a dynamite. She said it was "never ever in anybody's imagination" that live rounds would remain in the weapon.

" When Ms. Gutierrez-Reed brought the gun … … on set into the church, he did check the firearm," she said of Halls. "He wouldn't have even thought that there was a live round because, in that gun. … … And he, like numerous others, is very shocked.".

Prosecutor Kari Morrissey said Halls, a veteran filmmaker of more than 30 years, failed in his task as the last line of defense for firearms safety, and that the fatal shooting took place after 2 earlier weapons misfires on set.

" Mr. Halls did not inspect every round that was in the weapon to verify that it was a dummy round and not a live round," she stated. "He then handed the weapon to Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Baldwin began to practice his cross draw.

In different regulatory proceedings, office security authorities have asserted Halls shared responsibility for recognizing and correcting any harmful conditions related to guns security in the movie's production.

Halls' sentencing happened on the 30th 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 supposed to have fired a blank while shooting "The Crow.".

A weekslong preliminary hearing in May will decide whether proof versus Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed suffices to proceed to trial.

In her sentencing, Judge Marlowe Sommer verified with Halls that he would "testify honestly in all hearings, settings, or trials involving any and all offenders and co-defendants in this matter." If Halls violates the terms of the plea contract, district attorneys can resume the case.
Santa Fe's district attorney this week selected two unique prosecutors, Morrissey and Jason Lewis.

The initial unique prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, resigned following missteps in the preliminary filing of charges against Baldwin and objections that her role as a state lawmaker created contrasting responsibilities.