Summary

Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial began in New Mexico, where he faces charges for fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust" in 2021. Baldwin claims the prop gun discharged accidentally during rehearsal. Legal proceedings have been tumultuous, including charges initially dismissed and reinstated. Baldwin's co-producer status was ruled irrelevant to his case. The trial, expected to last 10 days, features a jury selected after extensive vetting. Hanna Gutierrez-Reed, also implicated, seeks retrial after a manslaughter conviction.

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For those who read...

Happy almost Friday, and welcome to this episode of Current2 Deeper Dives! My name is Jake, and today we will be diving into the past, present, and future of actor Alec Baldwin’s criminal trial. Yesterday, Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial began in New Mexico, with opening statements being given. If found guilty, Baldwin, who pleaded not guilty, could be sentenced to up to 18 months in prison.

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The famous actor is charged with fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” back in October of 2021. Baldwin was rehearsing for a scene at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. During the rehearsal, the prop revolver he was holding went off, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring the film’s director Joel Souza. Baldwin claims he did not know the gun was loaded, and it was shot accidentally after he was instructed to point it at Hutchins as a part of the rehearsal.
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Since Hutchins’ death almost three years ago, a dramatic legal battle has unfolded to lead us to today’s trial. Originally, Baldwin was charged with both involuntary manslaughter and a firearm enhancement charge, but the second charge was later dropped. This first set of charges was dismissed all together in April of 2023 as a result of prosecutors revealing “new facts in the case.” In January of this year, Baldwin was again indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Baldwin’s lawyers asked the judge to toss the case last month, because the weapon was damaged during testing at an FBI facility, but were denied by the judge. 
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Baldwin is not the only one facing potential jail time from the “Rust” crew. In March, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for handling all prop guns on the set, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and she was sentenced to 18 months in prison. She is currently seeking a retrial. 
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On Tuesday, after interviewing dozens of candidates, a 12-person jury with four alternates was selected. Prospective jurors were asked a series of matching questions regarding their relationship both with firearms and the film industry. 
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Early this week, Baldwin and his defense team gained some important ground in the trial after the case’s judge, Mary Marlowe Sommer, ruled that Baldwin’s role as a co-producer for the film was not relevant to the trial during a pretrial hearing. This ruling will prevent prosecutors from claiming Baldwin had a special responsibility for the safety of the set, and hold him to higher standards as a result. The trial is set to last roughly 10 days and will be livestreamed for the public.
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That’s all for this Current2 Deeper Dive! Thanks for tuning in today, and we will catch you again next week!

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Sources:

12 jurors selected for Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial (ABC)

Defense gives opening statements in trial of Alec Baldwin charged in shooting death on “Rust” film set (CBS)