Jury selection commences Tuesday morning for actor Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter trial.
The trial arises from the 2021 shooting on the movie set of “Rust,” where Baldwin is accused of discharging a live round that tragically struck the filmâs director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, and wounded director/writer Joel Souza. The trial holds potential repercussions for Baldwin as he could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
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66-year-old Baldwin appeared in court on Monday for a pretrial hearing and secured a significant victory. The judge decided that his role as a producer in the film wouldn’t be taken into account during the trial, which was a blow to the prosecution’s case. The judge also limited the use of video evidence to exclude footage not related to Baldwin’s handling of weapons on set.
Prosecutors argue that Baldwin ignored established protocols, such as inadequate firearm training, and permitted unsafe conditions on set, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome. They claim that Baldwin was negligent in handling the firearm, contrary to his assertion that the gun discharged without his action.
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In response, Baldwinâs defense argues that safety on set was the responsibility of professionals like armorer Hannah Gutierrez and assistant director David Halls, who were tasked with ensuring the firearms were safe and properly managed. In a counterclaim filed by Baldwinâs defense, they contend that neither Baldwin nor others present were aware that live ammunition had been loaded into the gun, believing it to be safe for use.
As the legal proceedings unfold, all attention is on Baldwin and the courtroom drama that will transpire, aiming to find answers and accountability for the tragic events that have deeply affected everyone involved in the production of âRust.â Court TV cameras will be present in the courtroom to broadcast the trial â from start to finish â with opening statements anticipated to begin as early as Wednesday.