Trial after fatal shooting - Alec Baldwin in court - trial for involuntary manslaughter
The fatal drama at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular Western film location in New Mexico, occurred nearly three years ago. On October 21, 2021, at the ranch, Alec Baldwin pulled a revolver in a western costume during film rehearsals for the movie Rust. Instead of harmless bullets, live ammunition was discharged. A bullet pierced the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and then hit the director Joel Souza in the shoulder. Hutchins was fatally wounded, and Souza sustained lighter injuries. Now, Hollywood star Baldwin must answer for involuntary manslaughter charges in court.
Approximately 30 kilometers from the film ranch, in the Santa Fe District Court, the trial "State v. Alexander Rae Baldwin" begins on the Tuesday morning (local time). At the trial's outset, the jury will be selected. In the end, twelve jurors must render a verdict. With a guilty verdict, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.
Back and forth over the trial
Until the last minute, it was a tug-of-war between the prosecution in the desert state of New Mexico and Baldwin's New York lawyers. The defense attorneys for the actor pulled out all the stops to prevent the trial. They recently argued that the weapon from which the shot was fired had been damaged during later FBI investigations. This would mean that they would lack a potentially exonerating piece of evidence for their client. Previously, Baldwin's attorneys had complained about procedural errors. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer remained unmoved. All motions to dismiss the case were denied by her.
Sommer also sets a strict framework. For the trial, she has only allocated barely two weeks, although both sides have submitted long lists of potential witnesses and countless exhibits. In the courtroom, cameras are allowed - the trial will be broadcast worldwide via livestream. Unintentionally, Baldwin (66) found himself in the spotlight.
Already convicted weapons master
This was also the case earlier this year when the young weapons master Hannah Gutierrez-Reed stood trial in Santa Fe. She was responsible for safety at the set regarding weapons handling. The origin of the live ammunition on the set was a key issue in the trial. In addition to blank rounds and dummy rounds, investigators found six live rounds. One of them was loaded into the revolver cylinder. The prosecution accused Gutierrez-Reed of disregarding safety precautions and not checking the ammunition. The jury found the young woman guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March. Judge Sommer sentenced her to the maximum term - 18 months in prison.
This is not a good omen for Baldwin. In the first Rust trial, his name was frequently mentioned - as the lead actor and producer of the low-budget Western, the prosecution held Baldwin and other film crew members responsible for the lack of safety on the set. The producers were accused of disregarding caution to make money quickly.
For Baldwin, the fatal shot was followed by a legal rollercoaster ride. Just a few weeks later, in a TV interview, he declared: "I did not pull the trigger." He would never point a weapon at a person and pull the trigger. He had "no idea" how the live ammunition found its way into the gun. He always shifted the blame.
The first indictment against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed came in January 2023, but the charges against the actor were dropped three months later. It was said then that further investigations and forensic analyses were necessary. The FBI investigators examined, among other things, whether a possible malfunction of the Colt could have caused the discharge. However, according to a weapons expert's report, the hammer must have been pulled. With new evidence in hand, the indictment went before Baldwin again in January 2024 - he pleaded not guilty once more.
Baldwin has a large family
The star of films and series like "The Hunt for Red October," "Blue Jasmine," or "30 Rock" has experienced professional highs and lows, and often made headlines privately as well. He struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, waged a bitter divorce and child custody battle with Kim Basinger over their daughter Ireland.
Since 2012, he has been married to yoga instructor Hilaria Baldwin (40). The couple has seven children. In September 2022, just a year after the fatal shot, their youngest daughter was born. Since last year, Baldwin is also a grandfather, through the first grandchild of his daughter Ireland (28).
Despite the trial and the possibility of imprisonment, Baldwin announced a new family project in early June. The reality show "The Baldwins" is set to premiere on the US network TLC next year, the couple announced in an Instagram video. "We invite you into our home to experience our ups and downs, the good, the bad, the wild, and the crazy."
- The tragic incident at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico involved several key figures in the movie industry, including Alec Baldwin, the film's lead actor and producer.
- The fatal incident took place during a film rehearsal for the movie Rust, and Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer, was fatally injured.
- The trial for Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter charges is being held in the Santa Fe District Court, approximately 30 kilometers from the film ranch.
- Joel Souza, the movie's director, was also injured in the incident and is expected to testify at the trial.
- The defense attorneys for Baldwin argue that the weapon from which the shot was fired was damaged during FBI investigations, potentially affecting their client's defense.
- Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the weapons master responsible for safety on the set, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
- Despite the ongoing trial and potential imprisonment, Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria, announced a new family project, a reality show titled "The Baldwins," set to premiere on the US network TLC.
