Process over fatal shooting: Prosecution accuses Alex Baldwin of recklessness
Baldwin, accused of manslaughter, appeared with his wife Hilaria and brother Stephen at the opening pleadings. The 66-year-old faces up to 18 months in prison after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by a bullet from a revolver Baldwin was holding during the filming of the Western "Rust" in October 2021. Director Joel Souza was also injured by the same bullet.
The incident occurred during a rehearsal for a scene where Baldwin, as an aging outlaw in his role, was driven into a corner by two policemen and drew his weapon. Baldwin reportedly requested the largest available prop gun for the scene, did not take gun safety seriously, and pointed the gun at people, according to Johnson.
The prosecutor added that the influential Hollywood star had acted "recklessly." "Film set safety regulations require actors like the defendant to handle every weapon as if it were loaded and never point it at others," she said.
Baldwin's attorney Alex Spiro argued otherwise, stating that standard safety protocols for handling weapons on film sets are not always followed. "They've all seen shootouts in movies," Spiro argued to the jury and referenced film classics like "Apocalypse Now" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." These films could have been made, he added, because safety measures were taken before the actor received the weapon.
Spiro emphasized that Baldwin had been told the gun was not loaded. He also noted that Baldwin had been given the instruction to point the revolver at Hutchins' camera. He criticized the police for not finding the fatal bullet.
Baldwin had maintained his innocence. The actor also insisted he had not pulled the trigger. FBI investigations reportedly revealed that the gun could not have fired without pressure on the trigger. The defense raised the issue that the gun had been damaged during the FBI's investigation, making it impossible to disprove any misconclusions from the investigation.
It remains unclear how the Colt ended up loaded with live ammunition. Live ammunition on film sets is illegal in the U.S.
"There will be no single witness or evidence presented in this trial that Alec knew or should have known that the gun contained a live round," Spiro said. He indirectly placed responsibility on armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and first assistant director David Halls. Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April for involuntary manslaughter. Halls admitted to negligence, avoiding a prison sentence.
During the ongoing trial against Baldwin, the prosecution called police officers as their first witnesses on Wednesday. Court footage from their body cameras was shown, including distressing scenes of Halyna Hutchins' final moments.
Testimonies from Halls and Souza are expected in the coming days. It is still unclear whether Baldwin will testify in court. The trial is predicted to conclude around the coming Friday, followed by deliberations from the jury.
- The indictment against Alex Baldwin for manslaughter related to the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins during the filming of "Rust" is being handled by the US Public Prosecutor's Office.
- Alex Spiro, Baldwin's attorney, argued in court that standard safety protocols for handling weapons on film sets are not always followed.
- The US-President issued a statement expressing condolences following the incident, stating that film set safety regulations should be strictly followed to prevent such tragedies.
- On the day of the incident, Baldwin and his brother Stephen attended the opening pleadings, accompanied by his wife Hilaria.
- The process of determining Baldwin's guilt or innocence has been a focus of attention in the Santa Fe film industry.
- The FBI is conducting an investigation into how the Colt revolver containing live ammunition ended up on the set of "Rust," which is in violation of US film set regulations.
- Halyna Hutchins' brother, who was present on the set, expressed his grief and demanded justice for his sister's death.
- Alec Baldwin's irresponsibility in handling the weapon during the filming of "Rust" has been a prominent topic in discussions about on-set safety.
- In the face of the indictment, Baldwin's attorney accused the FBI of failing to find the fatal bullet, simultaneously casting blame on armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and first assistant director David Halls.
- The US Film Star, Baldwin, has maintained his claim of innocence and insists that he neither pulled the trigger nor knew the gun contained live ammunition.
