Santa Fe, New Mexico – Alec Baldwin’s trial commenced in New Mexico, revealing contrasting narratives from the prosecution and defense regarding the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin, a well-known actor for his roles in “30 Rock” and impersonating Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” faces the possibility of up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after the on-set incident.
The incident occurred when a gun Baldwin was handling discharged, resulting in the death of Hutchins at the age of 42. Investigations revealed that the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, mistakenly mixed live ammunition with dummy bullets brought from her home.
During the trial’s opening statements, the defense portrayed Baldwin as an actor carrying out his duties, trusting the crew responsible for weapon safety. In contrast, the prosecution argued that Baldwin disregarded firearm safety protocols on a set with budget constraints and a novice cast.
Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson asserted that the case was straightforward, stating that Baldwin neglected fundamental firearm safety rules by utilizing a real gun for make-believe. The defense, led by attorney Alex Spiro, contended that Baldwin, like generations before him, was merely acting and blamed the safety protocols for the incident.
Both Gutierrez-Reed and David Halls, the assistant director in charge of safety, faced charges linked to the shooting. One of the central issues revolves around Baldwin’s denial of pulling the trigger when the gun discharged, a claim that prosecutors challenged with evidence from extensive FBI tests on the weapon.
The trial is expected to feature testimonies from various witnesses and audio-visual materials from the Rust set, providing insights into the circumstances surrounding Hutchins’ tragic death. The first witness, Officer Nicholas LeFleur, testified about his response to the scene and efforts to assist the victim.
As the trial progresses, more details are anticipated to emerge, shedding light on the events leading to the fatal shooting and the responsibilities of the crew members involved in ensuring safety on set. Baldwin’s fate hangs in the balance as legal proceedings continue, with the trial scheduled to conclude on July 19.