Alec Baldwin Involuntary Manslaughter Charge Explained: Why Actor Was Charged in 'Rust' Shooting

“I don’t think this case would’ve been prosecuted if the defendant wasn’t named Alec Baldwin,” Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers tells PEOPLE. “I would not have prosecuted it. They’re trying to throw the book at Baldwin and make an example out of him.” Rahmani says he disagrees with the charging decision “unless they have evidence that hasn’t yet been publicly reported.” Alec Baldwin.

Alec Baldwin Involuntary Manslaughter Charge: Will He Go to Prison After 'Rust' Shooting?

Alec Baldwin.Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Alec Baldwinfaces two charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal on-set shooting ofRustcinematographerHalyna Hutchins— and if convicted of the most serious charge, the actor could face five years in prison. On Thursday, New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced that Baldwin, the 64-year-oldRustactor and producer, along with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will face both chargesfor the October 2021 shooting. Legal expert Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, who has not worked on the case, tells PEOPLE he predicts Baldwin would spend at least a year in jail if found guilty on this charge.

Alec Baldwin Is 'Leaning on Hilaria and the Kids for Support' amid 'Rust' Shooting Fallout (Source)

Alec Baldwinis turning to his family in the wake of theaccidental shootingon the set of his movie,Rust.On Thursday, Baldwin, 63, fired a prop gun on the Sante Fe, New Mexico film set, accidentallykillingcinematographerHalyna Hutchinsand injuring director Joel Souza.As local authorities in New Mexico continue toinvestigatethe incident, a source tells PEOPLE that the actor is getting support from wifeHilariaand his children.“It’s such an unthinkable tragedy and the grief and trauma for him are unbearable,” the source says.

Alec Baldwin Is 'So Done' Portraying Donald Trump on 'SNL' : 'I Can't Imagine I Would Do It Again'

Alec Baldwinhas had enough. The actor, who has famously portrayed Donald Trump onSaturday Night Livesince the 2016 presidential election, revealed in a recent interview that he is “so done” with the role and “can’t imagine” returning to the show next season. “I feel like I’m done with that now. I’m so done with that,” Baldwin, 61, toldUSA Todayin an interview published on Thursday, after explaining that he felt like the role had lost some of its freshness.

Alec Baldwin Is 'Supportive' of Hilaria amid Controversy over Her Past: He's 'Tried to Cheer Her Up'

Alec Baldwinis supporting his wifeHilariaamid therecent controversyregarding her background. Late last month, Hilaria, 37, began trending on Twitter as social media users — including journalist Tracie Morrissey and Twitter user @lenibriscoe — alleged that she has fabricated Spanish roots and a Spanish accent despite being born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. For more on Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, orsubscribe here.