After death on the film set
Alec Baldwin's lawyers score points at the start of the trial
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In October 2021, during rehearsals on the set of the western “Rust,” a shot goes off from a gun held by Alec Baldwin. Camerawoman Halyna Hutchins dies. Now the trial against him begins as an actor, but not as a producer of the film, as his lawyers are able to force through.
Almost three years after the death of a camerawoman in a shooting incident on the set of the western “Rust,” Hollywood star Alec Baldwin must answer to the court for negligent homicide. At the start of the headline-grabbing trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the jury is to be selected. At the end of the trial, twelve jurors must reach a verdict. If found guilty, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
The deadly drama at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular western filming location in New Mexico, had shaken up Hollywood. On October 21, 2021, lead actor Baldwin, dressed in western gear, pulled out a revolver during rehearsals. But instead of harmless cartridges, live ammunition went off. The bullet pierced camerawoman Halyna Hutchins and then hit director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her, on the shoulder. The mother of a then nine-year-old son died shortly afterwards, while Souza escaped with minor injuries. It is unclear how the live ammunition got onto the set.
In a suit for the hearing
Baldwin had already appeared in court on Monday for a hearing with his lawyers – wearing a dark suit and tie. At the hearing, the defense and prosecution exchanged blows in front of the judge until the very end over motions about which evidence and witnesses should be admitted to the trial. The defense scored points with their demand that only Baldwin's role as an actor was relevant in the proceedings. The prosecution, on the other hand, wanted to bring in Baldwin's additional role as co-producer of the western, arguing that in this role he had disregarded safety regulations, exerted pressure on filmmakers on the set and thus put them in danger.
The hearing also addressed the question of whether the jury would be shown videos of Baldwin handling weapons on set. The prosecution wants to use this to show, among other things, that the actor acted recklessly. The judge in charge ruled in favor of the prosecution on this point.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has scheduled the trial to last just under two weeks. Cameras are permitted in the courtroom – the proceedings will be broadcast around the world via live stream. Filmmakers, investigators and weapons experts are among those expected to take the stand.
Baldwin claims innocence
Baldwin had claimed in interviews that he did not pull the trigger of the gun. At the arraignment in January, the actor and producer pleaded not guilty. However, according to a report by firearms experts, the trigger must have been pulled.
In a separate trial, gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for gun safety on the set of “Rust,” was found guilty of negligent homicide. She had loaded the gun, which contained live ammunition. In April, she was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.
Baldwin's name was already mentioned constantly in the first criminal trial – as the lead actor and producer of the low-budget western, the prosecution held him and other participants responsible for the lack of safety on the set. The producers had ignored precautionary measures in order to make a quick buck, they said.
