Actor Alec Baldwin was accompanied by his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and brother, Stephen Baldwin, as he faced the first day of his involuntary manslaughter trial. The trial commenced on Wednesday, July 10, at the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Alec, 66, has pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from the tragic 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of the western movie “Rust.”
In the courtroom, Hilaria, 40, and Stephen, 58, were seen sitting in the row behind Alec and his legal team. At one point, Alec leaned over to whisper something to his brother before taking his seat. Hilaria, who shares seven children with Alec, was also seen placing her hands on either side of his face, presumably to offer words of support.
The incident in question occurred in October 2021 when a prop gun held by Alec discharged a live round, injuring “Rust” director Joel Souza and fatally wounding Hutchins, who was 42 at the time. Alec has consistently maintained that he did not pull the trigger, stating in an interview with ABC News, “The trigger wasn’t pulled. I didn’t pull the trigger. I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never. I have no idea [how a bullet got in there]. Someone put a live bullet in a gun. A bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property.”
Prosecutors charged Alec and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with two counts each of involuntary manslaughter in January 2023. Gutierrez-Reed, 27, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April. Alec pleaded not guilty and filed a motion to dismiss the case, which was denied last month.
Throughout this ordeal, both Stephen and Hilaria have remained steadfast in their support for Alec. Hilaria expressed her feelings via Instagram in October 2021, writing, “My heart is with Halyna. Her husband. Her son. Their family and loved ones. And my Alec. It’s said, ‘There are no words’ because it’s impossible to express the shock and heartache of such a tragic accident. Heartbreak. Loss. Support.”
Stephen also took to Instagram to ask for prayers, stating, “Asking for your prayers tonight friends. Not much can be said other than please pray for all involved in the wake of this tragic accident thank you.”
Stephen, who is best known for his roles in “The Usual Suspects” and “Born on the Fourth of July,” is the youngest of Alec’s three brothers. The Baldwin family also includes brothers Daniel, 63, and Billy, 61, as well as two sisters, Beth Keuchler and Jane, 59. Stephen was seen sitting next to Hilaria in the courtroom, along with their sister Beth, 69.
A source close to the family revealed that while Alec intended to face the trial alone, his family would be present to support him. “Alec wants to put on a brave face and go to the trial alone, but his family will be present to support him,” the source said.
Alec’s trial comes six months after he submitted a not guilty plea in January, following a grand jury indictment on the involuntary manslaughter charge. The same source mentioned that Alec is “stressed” and “understandably worried” about the trial, especially after Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
During the trial’s opening statements, prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo argued that Alec “played make-believe with a real gun,” leading to Hutchins’ death. Ocampo stated, “The evidence will show that someone who played make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety is the defendant Alec Baldwin.” She added that multiple gun experts would testify that the gun could not discharge without pulling the trigger and that it functioned perfectly during tests.
Ocampo also alleged that Alec requested to work with the biggest gun possible and that it was not a prop gun but a real one. “It’s not a toy. It’s not made of rubber. It’s a real gun,” she said. She further claimed that Alec mishandled the gun by pointing it at others and failing to conduct a safety check with Gutierrez-Reed.
In his defense, Alec’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued that Alec was merely “an actor, acting” and that the responsibility for Hutchins’ death lay with Gutierrez-Reed and assistant director David Halls, who were in charge of checking the gun. “This was an unspeakable tragedy. [But] Alec Baldwin committed no crime. He was an actor, acting,” Spiro said.
Spiro also claimed that Alec did not “intentionally” pull the trigger and was deeply engrossed in his role as an “outlaw,” trusting the crew when he was told it was a “cold gun.” He emphasized that Alec followed the director’s instruction to “whip it out.”
Before the trial began, Gloria Allred, the lawyer representing Hutchins’ family, stated that she planned to attend most of the trial on behalf of Hutchins’ parents and sister, who live in war-torn Kiev, Ukraine. The family has a pending lawsuit against Alec and the production company over Hutchins’ death.
Allred criticized Alec for potentially using the trial as content for a reality series featuring him and Hilaria. “If he uses this trial and his children as part of a reality show, I think it’s sick,” Allred said, noting that Alec and Hilaria were photographed holding their baby outside of court.
A jury of 12, with four alternates, was chosen on the first day of the trial. Alec has maintained that while he cocked the hammer on the .45-caliber revolver, he never pulled the trigger. His lawyers have argued that it was “incomprehensible” that live bullets were on set and loaded in the gun.
Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of one count of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She is appealing the conviction. Halls admitted to failing to check the gun for live bullets before handing it to Alec and was sentenced to six months probation.
As the trial continues, Alec faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted. The presence of his family, including Hilaria and Stephen, underscores the emotional and personal stakes involved in this high-profile case.
Source: Ross D. Franklin – Pool/Getty Images, AP, AFP via Getty Images, T Roth/WireImage, VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty, Kevin Mazur/Getty, John Lamparski/WireImage, Sonia Moskowitz/Getty
