The long-awaited trial of Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin is set to begin today, nearly three years after the tragic shooting incident on the set of the Western film “Rust.” The case, which has captivated public attention and shaken the entertainment industry, centers around the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal in October 2021.
Jury selection is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico in Santa Fe. The trial, expected to last nine days, will determine whether Baldwin is guilty of involuntary manslaughter, a charge that could result in up to 18 months of imprisonment if he is convicted.
The incident occurred during a rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch when Baldwin, handling a prop firearm, discharged a live round that fatally struck Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. Throughout the investigation and legal proceedings, Baldwin has maintained that he did not intentionally pull the trigger. Instead, he claims that he released the gun’s hammer after a malfunction, causing the weapon to fire accidentally.
This trial marks the second legal proceeding stemming from the tragic event. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s chief weapons handler, was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors in her case argued that she had improperly loaded the weapon with live ammunition and failed to follow proper safety protocols.
Baldwin’s defense team is expected to shift responsibility towards Gutierrez-Reed while continuing to assert their client’s innocence regarding pulling the trigger. The actor’s lawyers have already secured a significant victory, as Judge Mary Marlowe Summer ruled that Baldwin’s role as a co-producer on “Rust” is not relevant to the case, potentially limiting the prosecution’s ability to argue that he bore responsibility for overall set safety.
The prosecution, led by special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, faces the challenge of proving Baldwin’s culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. They have two alternative standards for proving the charge: one based on the negligent use of a firearm, and the other demonstrating that Baldwin acted with total disregard or indifference for the safety of others.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from various witnesses, including crew members present during the shooting. Director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the incident, is listed as a potential witness for the prosecution. Other potential witnesses include front-line crew members, sound engineers, and camera operators who were on set that day.
One key witness, Zac Sneesby, a crew member holding a boom microphone during the rehearsal, is expected to testify that he saw Baldwin pull the trigger of the revolver. This testimony could be crucial in countering Baldwin’s claim that he did not intentionally fire the weapon.
The defense team, led by high-profile attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro from Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, is prepared to challenge the prosecution’s evidence. They may question the handling of the gun during FBI testing, which they argue amounted to the destruction of evidence and prevented them from conducting their own examination.
As the trial unfolds, it will not only determine Baldwin’s legal fate but also shed light on safety practices in the film industry. The incident has already prompted discussions about on-set firearm protocols and the responsibilities of actors and producers in ensuring crew safety.
The tragic death of Halyna Hutchins, a rising star in cinematography, continues to resonate within the film community. At 42, she left behind a young son and a promising career cut short by the fatal accident.
While the trial focuses on the legal aspects of the incident, it also serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of on-set accidents. As jury selection begins and the court proceedings get underway, all eyes will be on Santa Fe, where a Hollywood tragedy will be examined through the lens of the justice system.
