Alec Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter in New Mexico, stemming from the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has officially commenced. The actor, now 66, is facing charges related to the fatal shooting of Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza on the set of the film “Rust” on October 21, 2021. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial began with the jury selection earlier in the week, followed by opening statements on Wednesday. Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and his brother, Stephen Baldwin, were present in the courtroom to support him.
During the opening statements, the prosecution, led by Erlinda O. Johnson, presented a narrative that painted Baldwin as “reckless.” Johnson emphasized that while the incident occurred on a movie set, it was a real-life workplace for many individuals. She highlighted the inexperience of the on-set armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for loading the gun with a live round. Gutierrez-Reed has already been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is serving an 18-month prison sentence.
Johnson argued that Baldwin’s actions on the set were reckless and showed a disregard for safety. She claimed that Baldwin had requested the “biggest gun available” for the production, a replica of an 1873 single-action revolver. Furthermore, she alleged that Baldwin failed to perform a safety check with the armorer before handling the gun, stating that he did not want to offend her. Johnson concluded that Baldwin’s failure to conduct a safety check, combined with his decision to point the gun at Hutchins and pull the trigger, constituted reckless disregard for her safety.
The prosecution also presented police body camera footage from the day of the incident, showing the chaotic aftermath and the efforts of first responders to save Hutchins. The footage, captured by Santa Fe Police Department officer Nicholas LaFleur, was played in court, eliciting grim reactions from several jurors. Baldwin maintained a neutral expression as he watched the footage.
In contrast, Baldwin’s defense attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that Baldwin was merely an actor following instructions and that the responsibility for ensuring the gun’s safety lay with the armorer and the first assistant director. Spiro emphasized that Baldwin had no reason to believe the gun was loaded with a live round and that he was relying on the professionals on set to ensure safety. He stated that Baldwin was acting in his role as Harland Rust and had no criminal intent.
Spiro also pointed out that the gun had been destroyed weeks before the trial, making it impossible to determine how the live round ended up in the weapon. He argued that the prosecution could not prove that Baldwin knew or should have known that the gun was loaded with a live round. Spiro maintained that Baldwin’s actions were those of an actor handling a prop, not someone committing a crime.
Throughout the trial, Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria, was seen comforting him, whispering to him, and caressing his cheek during breaks. The couple, who share seven children, have been a visible support system for each other during this challenging time.
The trial is expected to last about eight days, not including jury deliberations. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is presiding over the case. The jury will not hear about Baldwin’s role as a producer on the film, as the judge ruled that it was irrelevant to the charges he faces as an actor.
As the trial progresses, both sides will present their evidence and call witnesses to support their arguments. The prosecution will aim to prove that Baldwin’s actions were reckless and directly led to Hutchins’ death, while the defense will argue that Baldwin was not responsible for the safety failures on set.
The outcome of the trial will hinge on whether the jury is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Baldwin’s actions constituted involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison, the same sentence that Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving.
The trial has garnered significant media attention, with many closely following the proceedings to see how the case unfolds. Baldwin’s legal team remains steadfast in their defense, asserting that the actor committed no crime and that the responsibility for the tragic incident lies with others on the set.
Source: HELLO! Magazine, Yahoo Entertainment, Court TV
