Hilaria Baldwin Calls For 'Empathy' Amid Alec Baldwin 'Rust' Charges

It seems Hilaria Baldwin is trying to send a message after her husband, Alec Baldwin, was charged with manslaughter in the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

On Thursday morning, the Santa Fe DA charged both the "30 Rock" actor and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter. First assistant director Dave Halls pled guilty to the charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The 39-year-old podcast host stepped out for coffee wearing a green sweatshirt that had the word “EMPATHY” written in bold letters across the front. She paired the look with faux leather leggings, oversized sunglasses, and slip-on sandals with pearl embellishments.

Although the charges will formally be filed at the end of the month, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed are each facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The first count is a fourth-degree felony that could lead to up to eighteen months in prison or a $5,000 fine. The second charge, which carries an additional firearm enhancement, could put either of them away for five years if they are convicted.

On Thursday, Andrea Reeb, a special prosecutor appointed to the case, said in a statement, "If any one of these three people—Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, or David Halls—had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today."

"It’s that simple," Reeb continued. "The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously."

Although the "Beetlejuice" actor did an hour-long special with ABC in the weeks following the "Rust" shooting, he made no such comments on his social media page. Hilaria's Instagram page also went silent after the charges were filed.

It is likely that Baldwin's lawyer, Luke Nikas, encouraged the couple to stay quiet. That being said, Nikas did issue his own statement, saying, "This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun -- or anywhere on the movie set."

"He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds," Nikas continued. "We will fight these charges, and we will win."

The lawyer for the "Rust" armorer, Jason Bowles, also released a statement, saying, “Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter.”

“These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts," Bowles added. "We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury."

On Thursday night, SAG-AFTRA criticized the Santa Fe District Attorney's decision to hold a performer criminally liable. In their statement, they wrote, "​The death of Halyna Hutchins is a tragedy, and all the more so because of its preventable nature. It is not a failure of duty or a criminal act on the part of any performer."

“The prosecutor’s contention that an actor has a duty to ensure the functional and mechanical operation of a firearm on a production set is wrong and uninformed," the statement continued. "An actor’s job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert. Firearms are provided for their use under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm. "

"In addition, the employer is always responsible for providing a safe work environment at all times, including hiring and supervising the work of professionals trained in weapons," they added.

The guild also made it clear where they stood on Baldwin's responsibility, writing, “The guidelines do not make it the performer’s responsibility to check any firearm. Performers ​train to perform, and they are not required or expected to be experts on guns or experienced in their use.