The trial of actor Alec Baldwin for the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” is set to begin in New Mexico. Baldwin is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and could face 18 months in prison if convicted. The incident occurred during a rehearsal when Baldwin, who was also a producer on the film, was pointing a revolver at Hutchins and the gun discharged, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger, but rather pulled back the hammer.
The trial is expected to focus on the chaotic atmosphere of the movie set and the details of the revolver Baldwin was using. Prosecutors have alleged that armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for bringing live rounds onto the set, resulting in Hutchins' death. Gutierrez-Reed was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the incident.
Baldwin, a well-known actor, has assembled a team of high-profile attorneys to defend him in court. The defense is expected to argue that it was not Baldwin's responsibility to ensure there were no live rounds in the gun he was using. The trial is projected to last nine days, with jury selection beginning soon.
The prosecution will present witnesses who were present at the time of the shooting, including crew members who saw Baldwin handling the revolver. Firearms experts will testify about the functionality of the gun and whether it could have fired without the trigger being pulled. The trial is expected to draw significant media attention, with coverage from national outlets and streaming options available for the public to follow the proceedings.
Ultimately, the jury will have to decide whether Baldwin is guilty of involuntary manslaughter based on the evidence presented during the trial. The case has sparked debate over gun safety on film sets and the responsibilities of actors and producers in ensuring a safe working environment.