The involuntary manslaughter trial for Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” in October 2021 has been set for July, according to New Mexico’s First Judicial District Court.
Jury selection is set to begin on July 9 with the trial expected to last from July 10 to 19.
Baldwin was indicted by a grand jury on Jan. 19 on an involuntary manslaughter charge after prosecutors dropped the original manslaughter charges last April.
Baldwin, 65, is accused of fatally shooting Hutchins, 42, on the New Mexico set of the Western in October 2021. The actor was practicing a cross-draw when the gun fired, striking the cinematographer and director Joel Souza, who suffered a non-life-threatening injury.
Baldwin pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Jan. 31.
Actor Alec Baldwin departs his home, as he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust”, in New York, Jan. 31, 2023.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters, FILE
Two others were charged in the on-set shooting, including armorer Hannah Gutierrez and first assistant director David Halls.
Halls pleaded no contest to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six months unsupervised probation as part of a plea deal. Halls handed the Colt .45 revolver to Baldwin prior to the shooting.
The trial for Gutierrez, who is also charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting, began last week. She was also subsequently charged with tampering with evidence, with prosecutors alleging she handed off a small bag of cocaine after her interview with police following the shooting on Oct. 21, 2021.
Gutierrez, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 18 months in jail on each charge, if convicted.
Defense attorney Jason Bowles claimed last week that the production created a “chaotic scene” by giving Gutierrez props duties that took away from her job as lead armorer. He said she wasn’t given sufficient time to train the crew on the firearms, including Baldwin, whom he argued was inappropriately handling the gun by pointing it at the crew.
“You’re not going to hear anything about [Gutierrez] being in that church or firing that weapon — that was Alec Baldwin,” Bowles said.
Alec Baldwin, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in movies such as “The Departed” and “Glengarry Glen Ross,” is set to face trial for manslaughter in July for his involvement in the fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust.”
The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, when Baldwin was rehearsing a scene that involved him handling a prop gun. Tragically, the gun discharged, striking and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The shooting sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and raised questions about safety protocols on film sets.
Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger of the gun and was not aware that it was loaded with live ammunition. However, prosecutors have argued that as the producer of the film, Baldwin bears responsibility for ensuring the safety of everyone on set.
The trial, which is set to begin on July 18, will likely delve into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and examine whether proper safety protocols were followed on the set of “Rust.” It is expected to be a high-profile case that will attract significant media attention.
In the wake of the shooting, there has been increased scrutiny of safety practices in the film industry, with calls for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The incident has also sparked conversations about the use of firearms on film sets and whether alternative methods, such as CGI, should be considered to avoid potential risks.
As Baldwin prepares to face trial, he has expressed remorse for the tragic events that unfolded on the set of “Rust.” In a statement following the shooting, he said, “There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother, and deeply admired colleague of ours.”
The outcome of Baldwin’s trial will have far-reaching implications for the film industry and could potentially lead to changes in how safety is prioritized on film sets. As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the courtroom in July to see how justice is served in this tragic and preventable incident.
