Indicting Alec Baldwin

Jill Filipovic had a good piece at CNN last week that shows that it's not outlandish that Baldwin was indicted for involuntary manslaughter.

First, contra the #BlueAnon wingnuts on Twitter, this ain't because he's an outspoken Democrat. It was the First Judicial District of New Mexico, ie, the DA for Fanta Se, or Santa Fe County, the bluest (and occasionally Greeny in the past) bastion of the state of New Mexico. (The district also covers Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties.)

Second, she reminds us of the more important salient facts:

Baldwin was one of the producers of "Rust" as well as starring actor;

The set was described as disorganized, and a "good Democrat" and other producers had camera crew walk off the set before this because their pay was late;

The set had two previous gun incidents; 

The assistant director had complaints of lax safety on other sets.

And, it IS "involuntary manslaughter" on the charge. Filipovic cites the NM statute then explains why she thinks Baldwin was tagged:

In New Mexico, “Involuntary manslaughter consists of manslaughter committed in the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to felony, or in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death in an unlawful manner or without due caution and circumspection.” 

t’s that second clause that prosecutors seem to be applying to Baldwin. And so the question is: Did Baldwin act without due caution and circumspect?

There you go. This isn't a slam dunk, either way. But, I can see the case. We'll see where it goes.