Alec Baldwin is currently facing a critical juncture in his manslaughter trial amidst intense scrutiny following an accidental shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.”
During a pretrial hearing on Monday, a New Mexico judge will determine which evidence, testimony, and arguments will be permitted during Baldwin’s manslaughter trial, scheduled to start on Tuesday with jury selection. Opening statements are expected to begin as early as Wednesday.
The trial originated from an incident that occurred on Oct. 21, 2021, during a rehearsal near Santa Fe, where a .45 caliber revolver held by Baldwin discharged a live round, tragically killing the film’s director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and injuring director/writer Joel Souza.
Since then, the aftermath has been tangled in legal disputes, wrongful death lawsuits, and a previous trial resulting in the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, serving an 18-month sentence after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter but acquitted on evidence tampering charges.
Related story: Alec Baldwin faces new lawsuit for ‘Rust’ shooting from victim’s family
At the heart of the upcoming trial are allegations that Baldwin, as the lead actor and producer, neglectfully ignored industry safety standards, as stated in court documents.
Prosecutors argue that Baldwin failed to follow established protocols, such as inadequate firearm training, and permitted unsafe conditions on set, resulting in the tragic incident. They claim he was negligent in handling the firearm, contrary to his statement that the gun discharged without him pulling the trigger.
In defense, Baldwin’s legal team argues that safety on set was the responsibility of professionals like Gutierrez and the assistant director, David Halls, who were tasked with ensuring safe firearm handling. In their cross-complaint, they argue that Baldwin and others were unaware that live ammunition was loaded into the gun, believing it to be safe for use.
The trial holds significant implications for Baldwin, who could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. As the legal proceedings unfold, all attention is on Baldwin and the courtroom proceedings that will seek answers and accountability for the tragic events that have deeply affected everyone involved in the production of “Rust.”
This story was originally published by Beth Hemphill at CourtTV.com.
