SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A defense attorney addressed jurors on Wednesday, describing the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins as an “unspeakable tragedy.” The attorney argued that Alec Baldwin did not commit a crime as he was simply acting, being an actor.
Baldwin’s lawyer Alex Spiro emphasized during his opening statement in a courtroom in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that Baldwin, who is facing involuntary manslaughter charges, was following standard practices for actors on the set of the film “Rust,” where Hutchins was tragically killed in October 2021.
“I don’t need to explain this further, as you’ve all seen gunfights in movies,” Spiro stated.
Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, in her opening statement, alleged that Baldwin skipped safety procedures and mishandled a revolver before the fatal shooting.
“The evidence will demonstrate that the defendant, Alexander Baldwin, disregarded firearm safety rules while handling a real gun,” Johnson claimed.
Spiro responded by stating that “these rules are not applicable on a movie set.”
“Safety protocols should be followed before a gun is handed to an actor on a movie set,” Spiro informed the jury.
The first witness to testify was the initial law enforcement officer who responded to the shooting at Bonanza Creek Ranch. Video footage from the officer’s body camera showed the chaotic scene as efforts were made to save Hutchins. Baldwin watched solemnly as the video played in the courtroom.
Later in the video, the officer can be seen instructing Baldwin not to speak with other potential witnesses, but Baldwin disregards the instruction repeatedly.
When asked if he handled the situation optimally, the officer responded, “Probably not. But that’s what happened.”
Johnson walked the jurors through the events leading up to Hutchins’ death, highlighting Baldwin’s actions that day. She alleged that Baldwin ignored safety checks with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed before the rehearsal, ultimately resulting in the tragedy.
During the presentation, Baldwin focused on a notepad, away from the jury. Spiro emphasized that the responsibility for safety rested with Gutierrez-Reed and assistant director David Halls.
Spiro closed his opening by indicating that witnesses would testify that no actor has intercepted a live bullet from a prop gun, suggesting that Baldwin’s actions were not intentional.
Prosecutors have outlined two standards for proving the charge of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin, which will be elaborated on during the trial.
Testimony is expected to delve into the mechanics of the weapon and whether it could have fired without a trigger pull.
Attorney Gloria Allred was present in the courtroom audience, representing individuals involved in a civil lawsuit against Baldwin and other producers related to the incident.
Reporting by Dalton from Los Angeles.
___ For more coverage of Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/alec-baldwin
