Alec Baldwin trial: jury selected - pleas expected
Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter because the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fataly shot by a bullet from a revolver he was holding during the filming of the Western "Rust" in October 2021. The same bullet also injured director Joel Souza. Baldwin maintains his innocence. The prosecution intends to prove in their opening statement that Baldwin violated safety regulations regarding the use of firearms during filming. They will also describe him as a reckless and uncontrollable personality who endangered the safety of the entire crew. Baldwin was also a producer on the film, but the judge has ordered that this role is not admissible in court.
Lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey has already secured a 18-month sentence for cinematographer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in April for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the Western-Dreh. The prosecution now aims for the same sentence for Baldwin.
Baldwin has stated that he did not know the Colt-45-Revolver was loaded with live ammunition. He also denied pulling the trigger. In his opening statement, Baldwin's attorney Alex Spiro will emphasize that his client, as an actor, was not responsible for controlling the weapon.
However, FBI investigations revealed that the shot could not have been fired without pulling the trigger. Baldwin is accused of lying shamelessly about his behavior. It remains unclear how the Colt ended up loaded with live ammunition. Live ammunition is prohibited on film sets in the US.
At the start of the trial on Tuesday, Baldwin appeared in court with his wife, one of his children, a nanny, and his brother Stephen, also an actor known for his work in "30 Rock" and as an imitator of former US President Donald Trump. Baldwin did not speak to the media and took notes in the courtroom. It is still uncertain whether he will testify as a witness during the trial.
The jury selection for the Baldwin trial was complicated due to his high public profile, but was completed within a day. It is crucial to ensure that jurors have no biases for or against the defendant during such jury selections.
The potential jurors were therefore asked, among other things, if they are gun owners and if they have worked in the film industry. Defense attorney Spiro repeatedly reminded them that their feelings about Baldwin's celebrity status should not influence their decision on his guilt or innocence. Spiro also frequently mentioned Baldwin's role as Trump-Double in the popular TV show "Saturday Night Live".
- During the trial, Alec Baldwin's attorney, Alex Spiro, will present an opening statement defending his client.
- In New Mexico, Alec Baldwin is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter following Halyna Hutchins' fatal shooting during the filming of "Rust."
- The prosecution intends to argue that Baldwin violated safety regulations and behaved recklessly on the set, endangering the crew.
- Kari Morrissey, the lead prosecutor, is seeking a similar 18-month sentence for Baldwin as she did for cinematographer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
- Despite assertions of innocence, Baldwin has been accused of lying about his actions and the state of the revolver he was handling.
- In the courtroom, Baldwin was accompanied by his wife, one of his children, a nanny, and his brother Stephen, an actor known for his work in "30 Rock" and as a Trump imitator.
- Alex Spiro, Baldwin's attorney, emphasized the importance of jurors not allowing their celebrity biases to influence their decision during the jury selection process.
- Baldwin's high public profile made the jury selection process complicated, but it was completed within a day in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
