Jurors selected in trial of US actor Alec Baldwin
The 66-year-old actor must answer for manslaughter charges, as the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by a bullet from a pistol held by Baldwin during the filming of the Western "Rust" in 2021. He faces up to 1.5 years in prison.
During jury selection on Tuesday, only a few of the dozens of potential jurors showed up when asked if they had ever heard of the incident on the "Rust" set.
This case attracted significant attention and polarized the public. Deaths from prop weapons on film sets are rare. In the US, sharp ammunition is supposed to be banned on sets. Hollywood star Baldwin had always maintained his innocence. The prosecution accuses him of contributing to the incident with reckless behavior.
Potential jurors were asked about weapon ownership and experience in the film industry on Tuesday. Due to technical issues, 16 jurors, including alternates, were eventually selected. The first hearings are scheduled for Wednesday.
Baldwin unexpectedly appeared for a hearing before the start of the actual proceedings on Monday and took notes. He gave an relaxed impression.
In this case, the armorer of the film set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, had already been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. It is unclear exactly how the gun was loaded with live ammunition.
- The US movie star, Alec Baldwin, is currently processing the legal ramifications of manslaughter charges, following the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021 on the set of "Rust."
- During the jury selection for Baldwin's trial, many potential jurors expressed unfamiliarity with the incident that occurred on the "Rust" set.
- As a prominent US actor, Baldwin has consistently professed his innocence in the case, and the prosecution alleges his involvement in the incident due to reckless behavior.
- In the ongoing trial, it was revealed that the armorer of the film set, a woman named Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
- This high-profile case has sparked widespread attention, with deaths from prop weapons on film sets being a rare occurrence in the US.
- Regarding the loading of the gun with live ammunition, there remains uncertainty as to how the error occurred.
