Accident on movie set - "Rust" trial: Two versions of Baldwin's fatal shooting
With a serious look and visible tension, Alec Baldwin follows the opening statement of his attorney. In the trial against the Hollywood star, the question is whether the 66-year-old handled the fatal shot to the camera woman on the set of the Western "Rust" 2021 negligently and therefore must go to prison. "There will be no single witness or evidence in this trial that Alec knew or could have known that the gun was loaded with a live round," defense attorney Alex Spiro told the jury in Santa Fe (New Mexico).
"Actors do not check the weapons, safety is ensured by specialized personnel," Spiro continued to the twelve jurors. The death of camera woman Halyna Hutchins was a tragedy. However, the responsibility for ensuring that weapons are safe at film shoots lies with weapon masters and other crew members.
No actor had ever removed live ammunition from a prop gun, Spiro further stated. Alec Baldwin had therefore not done anything wrong but had only done his job and acted. Twelve jurors are to make a decision in the trial, which lasted for eight trial days. Baldwin pleaded not guilty. He faces up to 18 months in prison.
Serious Blouse and Steady Gaze
The prosecution refers to an incident on the set of "Rust". On October 21, 2021, the main actor Baldwin pulled the trigger of a revolver during rehearsals, as specified in the script. Instead of harmless blank cartridges, live ammunition was discharged. The bullet hit camera woman Hutchins (42) and then the director Joel Souza in the shoulder. The mother of a then nine-year-old son died shortly thereafter, Souza sustained lighter injuries.
Baldwin was seen in TV images from the courtroom with a serious expression. He wore a dark suit, tie, and a lavender blouse and at times put on his glasses to read documents. According to present journalists, his wife, Hilaria Baldwin (40), and one of his brothers, actor Stephen Baldwin (58), were also present in the courtroom.
State Prosecutor with Grave Accusations
State Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson presented a different version of Baldwin's actions to the jury: "The evidence will show that the one who played with a real gun and violated the rules of gun safety was the defendant Alexander Baldwin." He is therefore guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Johnson illuminated in her opening statement also the role of already convicted armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Many people on the set were aware that Gutierrez-Reed had little experience as an armorer. Nevertheless, Baldwin "never once, when he had this gun in his hand, performed a safety check."
The actor had also handled the gun improperly in many other instances. Baldwin had pointed the gun at people. "You will see how he placed his finger on the trigger, although his finger should not have been on the trigger," Johnson further told the jury.
"On a film set, you can pull the trigger"
Lawyer Spiro argued against it: "On a film set, one can pull the trigger." If Baldwin had done that - even if he cannot remember it - it does not make him guilty. His client could not have known that the weapon was loaded with a sharp bullet, which should not be allowed on sets in the first place. The revolver was handed over to the star from films like "The Hunt for Red October" and "Blue Jasmine" for testing.
After the opening statements, a police officer was called as the first witness in the trial on Wednesday. Baldwin and the other defendants were shown several videos during interrogation, which showed the chaos and confusion after the fatal shooting. In a particularly intense recording, people were seen fighting for Hutchins' life, who was lying motionless on the ground.
Previous conviction against the armorer
Judge Mary Marlowe has set the trial to last until mid-July. Cameras are allowed in the courtroom - the trial will be made accessible to the public via livestream. Witnesses expected in the stand include filmmakers, investigators, and weapons experts. It is still unknown whether Baldwin will testify himself.
In a separate trial, the armorer Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for weapon safety on the "Rust" set, had already been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She had loaded the weapon, which contained live ammunition. In April, she was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.
- According to Alex Spiro's opening statement, there won't be a witness or evidence showing that Alec Baldwin knew the gun was loaded with a live round.
- Spiro also mentioned that actors don't check the weapons, the responsibility lies with weapon masters and other crew members.
- The death of Halyna Hutchins was a tragedy, but Spiro argued that Baldwin had only done his job and didn't do anything wrong.
- State Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson accused Baldwin of violating gun safety rules and playing with a real gun, making him guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
- Johnson highlighted Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's role in the incident, noting that many people were aware of her inexperience as an armorer.
- Baldwin allegedly handled the gun improperly, pointing it at people and even placing his finger on the trigger despite rules.
- Spiro argued that on a movie set, an actor can pull the trigger, even if Baldwin had done it, it doesn't make him guilty.
- Witnesses like filmmakers, investigators, and weapons experts are expected to testify in the trial, but it's unclear if Baldwin will testify himself.
