After death of camerawoman - trial against Alec Baldwin begins

Trial after death on movie set - After death of camerawoman - trial against Alec Baldwin begins

Almost three years after the death of a cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins (42), at the Bonanza Creek Ranch film set of the Western "Rust" in New Mexico due to an accidental shooting, Hollywood star Alec Baldwin (66) must answer for manslaughter charges in court in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The jury selection for the sensational trial is set to begin on Tuesday (local time). Twelve jurors will have to render a verdict. If found guilty, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.

The fatal incident at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular Western filming location in New Mexico, shook Hollywood. On October 21, 2021, the main actor Baldwin, in Western attire, discharged a revolver during rehearsals, but instead of blank cartridges, live ammunition was discharged. The bullet pierced Hutchins and then hit the director Joel Souza in the shoulder. Hutchins, mother of a then nine-year-old son, died shortly thereafter, while Souza sustained lighter injuries. It is unclear how live ammunition made it to the set.

Baldwin's attorneys make their case before trial

Baldwin had already appeared at a hearing with his attorneys at the courthouse on Monday - in a dark suit and tie. During the hearing, defense and prosecution argued before the judge over which evidence and witnesses would be allowed at the trial. The defense emphasized that Baldwin's role as an actor in the case was relevant. The prosecution, however, wanted to bring up Baldwin's additional role as a co-producer of the Western, arguing that he had disregarded safety regulations, put pressure on film crew members at the set, and endangered them.

During the hearing, it also went around the question of whether the jurors would be allowed to see videos in which Baldwin handled weapons on the set. The prosecution wanted to use this to show that the actor had acted recklessly. The presiding judge decided in favor of the prosecution.

Trial to be livestreamed

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has set aside nearly two weeks for the trial. Cameras are allowed in the courtroom - the trial will be broadcast live around the world. Witnesses expected in the witness stand include film crew members, investigators, and firearms experts.

Baldwin had claimed in interviews that he had not pulled the trigger of the gun. At the January indictment, the actor and producer pleaded not guilty. According to a firearms expert report, the trigger must have been pulled.

In a separate trial, the armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for gun safety on the "Rust" set, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She had loaded the gun that contained live ammunition. In April, she was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

Baldwin's name came up frequently in the first trial as the main actor and producer of the low-budget Western. The prosecution held Baldwin and other crew members responsible for the lack of safety on the set. The producers were accused of disregarding precautions to make money quickly.

1. The tragic incident occurred at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a well-known filming location in New Mexico, USA, where the Hollywood movie 'Rust' was being filmed.
2. Alec Baldwin, an acclaimed actor from the USA, is facing manslaughter charges in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for his role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the 'Rust' movie set in New Mexico.
3. The movie set incident involving Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins, both associated with the 'Rust' project in New Mexico, has been a topic of intense discussion in Hollywood and among people worldwide.
4. The process in the public prosecutor's office regarding the Baldwin case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, involves determining which evidence and witnesses will be presented during his trial.
5. Bonanza, a popular Western movie, and 'Rust,' the film where the fatal shooting occurred, share a connection to the Santa Fe filming location in New Mexico.
6. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who held the responsibility for gun safety on the 'Rust' movie set in New Mexico, was convicted in a separate trial for involuntary manslaughter
7. Joel Souza, a director from Hollywood, was also injured during the accidental shooting incident on the 'Rust' movie set in New Mexico, which resulted in the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins, a mother from Ukraine.

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