Alec Baldwin is at a critical juncture in his manslaughter trial, facing intense scrutiny following an accidental shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.”
A New Mexico judge will determine at a pretrial hearing on Monday what evidence, testimony, and arguments will be permitted during Baldwin’s manslaughter trial, scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection. Opening statements could happen as early as Wednesday.
The trial stems from an incident that occurred on Oct. 21, 2021, during a rehearsal on the outskirts of Santa Fe, where a .45 caliber revolver Baldwin was handling discharged a live round, tragically killing the film’s director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and injuring director/writer Joel Souza.
Since then, there have been legal battles, wrongful death lawsuits, and a previous trial resulting in the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, being sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Related story: Alec Baldwin faces a new lawsuit for the ‘Rust’ shooting from the victim’s family
Central to the upcoming trial are allegations that Baldwin, as the lead actor and a producer, failed to follow industry safety standards, as outlined in court documents.
Prosecutors claim Baldwin ignored established protocols, such as insufficient firearm training, and allowed unsafe conditions on set, leading to the tragic result. They argue that Baldwin was negligent in handling the firearm, despite his assertion that the gun discharged without his trigger pull.
In response, Baldwin’s defense argues that on-set safety was the responsibility of professionals like Gutierrez and assistant director David Halls, who were entrusted with ensuring the firearms’ proper handling. In a cross-complaint, Baldwin’s defense contends that neither Baldwin nor others knew that live ammunition was loaded into the gun, believing it was safe.
The trial has serious implications for Baldwin, who could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes are on Baldwin and the courtroom drama that will seek answers and accountability for the tragic events that have deeply affected everyone involved in the making of “Rust.”
This story was originally published by Beth Hemphill at CourtTV.com.
