Alec Baldwin is set for trial in the 2021 fatal shooting on the movie set "Rust."
According to Daily Mail, the trial, set in early July, follows charges of involuntary manslaughter after Baldwin asserted he did not pull the trigger that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The incident happened during a rehearsal, with Baldwin claiming the gun discharged accidentally as he pulled the hammer back. This claim forms the crux of his defense, which is poised to dispute the prosecution’s argument that the gun could not have fired without the trigger being pulled.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on July 9, in Santa Fe, where he faces refiled charges after an initial dismissal. The neighboring legal battles include armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who is already serving a sentence for her role in the incident.
The firearm in question underwent rigorous testing by the FBI, which Baldwin’s defense claimed had potentially compromised evidence that could demonstrate the gun's capability to fire without pulling the trigger. The judge, however, dismissed this concern.
Alec Baldwin’s defense attorneys have loudly criticized the treatment of the gun used in the fatal incident, saying, "The decision to conduct harsh testing on the gun by the FBI is outrageous and potentially destructive to evidence that could prove Mr. Baldwin's innocence."
The defense's arguments have been newly challenged after the FBI tests allegedly damaged the gun, a key piece of evidence in demonstrating how the incident unfolded. Baldwin’s legal team argues that this hampered their ability to demonstrate the firearm’s malfunctioning possibility.
The prosecution maintains the firearm was functional and could not have been discharged without direct action from Baldwin. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer upheld the trial, noting the damaged components did not prevent a fair judgment and dismissing claims of bad conduct from investigators.
The judge stated that other evidence concerning the functionality of the firearm on Oct. 21, 2021, suggests the revolver was functioning normally and contradicts Baldwin's assertion of mechanical malfunction. This statement consolidated the decision to proceed with the trial despite several appeals for dismissal.
Aside from technical analyses, the trial will feature testimonies from over 60 individuals, including those present at the scene and firearm experts. Their insights will be pivotal in outlining the events and the firearm's mechanics at the trial’s time.
Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, while serving her sentence, has chosen not to testify, invoking her Fifth Amendment rights. This development adds another layer of complexity to a case already dense with legal and personal ramifications for everyone involved.
The prosecutors countered concerns about the firearm testing, stating, "It was unfortunate the gun broke, but it wasn't destroyed, and the parts are still available, which ensures Mr. Baldwin’s attorneys can still effectively question the evidence brought against him."
As the trial date approaches, both the defense and prosecution are gearing up for a complex legal battle that hinges on ballistic details and procedural arguments. Alec Baldwin’s plea of not pulling the trigger remains central to his defense amidst a backdrop of grieving families, a scrutinized film industry, and a closely watching public. With broad implications for on-set safety standards and legal accountability in Hollywood, the outcome of this trial will likely resonate far beyond the courtroom.
