Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after the shooting on the set of Rust that claimed the life of Galina Hutchins.

The first court session in the case was scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, but the actor exercised his right not to appear by sending his application to the court document today.

Judge Mary Sommer agreed to release Baldwin from tomorrow’s hearing, setting several conditions for his release – among them a ban on the handling of weapons and the consumption of alcohol.

Baldwin remains barred from discussing the fatal shooting or any other testimony with a potential witness. The only contact he is allowed to have with potential witnesses is for “the completion of Rust and other related activities such as its commercial promotion,” Sommer wrote.

Recall that during the filming of the scene, a gun went off at the actor, and the director of photography of the film fell dead.

The actor was charged with manslaughter, but the New Mexico District Attorney’s office reduced the charge against him, and as a result, the actor faces a reduced prison sentence.

Filming on the film is expected to resume in the spring with a new director of photography, despite a court case over Hutchins’ death being pending.

Source: CBS/New York Times.