A judge in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has sworn in a panel of jurors for Alec Baldwin’s criminal trial. Baldwin faces charges of involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his film “Rust.” Opening arguments began with both the prosecution and defense presenting their cases.
Nearly three years ago, Baldwin was rehearsing a scene for the indie film, holding what was supposed to be an unloaded prop gun. He later told authorities that he pointed the Colt .45 toward the camera, behind which Hutchins was standing. Baldwin described the gun as a “cold gun,” meaning it was not supposed to have live rounds. However, a real bullet from the gun struck Hutchins and also wounded the director, Joel Souza.
Baldwin has maintained that he never pulled the trigger and was not responsible for the live ammunition. He has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. In March, a jury in New Mexico found Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the woman in charge of weapons on the film set, guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Before serving her 18-month sentence, Gutierrez-Reed stated that she was young and naive on the job and lacked the proper resources or time to perform her duties better.
Gutierrez-Reed is among the many witnesses who might testify during Baldwin’s trial, although the judge has noted she may not cooperate. Prosecutors may also call the film’s director, script supervisor, and prop master to testify about the events on set. Firearms experts and film armorers are also expected to take the stand, and evidence will include footage of Baldwin drawing his gun during rehearsals on the set of “Rust.”
Baldwin has faced numerous legal challenges since the shooting. Initial charges against him were downgraded and later dropped, only for him to be indicted again in January of this year. The gun Baldwin used was damaged when the FBI tested it to see if it would discharge accidentally, leading his attorney, Alex Spiro, to argue that the state had intentionally destroyed key evidence. However, the judge ruled that the state did not act in bad faith by having the gun tested.
Baldwin was also one of the film’s producers, but the judge ruled that this case is only about his role as an actor on set. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey plans to prove that Baldwin did not pay attention during on-set safety training. Morrissey stated that Baldwin pointed a gun at a human being, cocked it when he wasn’t supposed to, and pulled the trigger, resulting in Hutchins’ death and Souza’s injury.
If found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison. His trial is expected to last until July 19.
In the courtroom, Baldwin’s lawyer Alex Spiro emphasized that Baldwin did exactly what actors always do on set. Spiro argued that the responsibility for safety lay with the film’s armorer, Gutierrez-Reed, and assistant director David Halls, who had already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and negligent use of a deadly weapon, respectively. Baldwin had been told “cold gun” before receiving the revolver, not knowing there was a live round in it.
The first witness to take the stand was Nicholas LeFleur, the first law enforcement officer to arrive at Bonanza Creek Ranch after the shooting. Video from LeFleur’s body camera captured the frantic efforts to save Hutchins. In the courtroom, Baldwin watched the video somberly. LeFleur acknowledged that he did not treat the scene as a major crime scene, which Spiro used to argue that Baldwin’s actions were unintentional.
Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson walked the jurors through the events leading up to Hutchins’ death. She stated that Baldwin declined multiple opportunities for standard safety checks with Gutierrez-Reed before the rehearsal. Instead, Baldwin “did his own thing,” cocking the hammer, pointing it at Hutchins, and firing the gun.
Baldwin has claimed that the gun fired accidentally after he followed instructions to point it toward Hutchins. He said he pulled back the hammer, not the trigger, and it fired. Spiro argued that even if Baldwin had pulled the trigger, it would not have been manslaughter, as actors are allowed to pull the trigger on a movie set.
The trial will delve into the mechanics of the weapon and whether it could have fired without a trigger pull. Prosecutors argue that the gun could not have fired without pulling the trigger. Attorney Gloria Allred, representing “Rust” script supervisor Mamie Mitchell and Hutchins’ sister and parents in a civil lawsuit against Baldwin and other producers, observed the trial and noted that the jury appeared riveted by the testimony and evidence.
The trial continues as both sides present their arguments and witnesses take the stand to provide further insights into the tragic incident.
Source: NPR, AP News
