SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – Actor Alec Baldwin is facing a trial for involuntary manslaughter in the tragic killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021. Despite Baldwin’s plea of not guilty, a New Mexico judge denied his attempt to have the case dismissed, setting the stage for a trial scheduled to begin in July.
Baldwin’s legal team, composed of attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, expressed their readiness for the upcoming court proceedings. The decision to proceed to trial followed a hearing in a Santa Fe court where arguments were presented by Baldwin’s lawyers and the prosecutors.
During the hearing, special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey emphasized Baldwin’s responsibility for the firearms once they are in his possession. On the other hand, Baldwin’s defense argued for the case’s dismissal, pointing out that critical evidence was allegedly not presented during the grand jury proceeding that led to Baldwin’s indictment for manslaughter.
The charge of involuntary manslaughter carries a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months upon conviction. The tragic incident occurred on October 21, 2021, while Baldwin was rehearsing a scene on the set of “Rust.”
Despite maintaining his innocence and claiming that the gun malfunctioned, Baldwin’s involvement in the shooting has raised questions surrounding firearm safety on film sets. Prosecutors had initially charged Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with involuntary manslaughter, with Gutierrez-Reed later being convicted in March of the same charge.
In January, a grand jury indicted Baldwin on the manslaughter charge, to which he pleaded not guilty. The legal proceedings have shed light on the complexities of on-set safety protocols and the accountability actors hold when handling firearms during filming.
As the trial date approaches, the film industry continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety measures on set to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
