The actor Alec Baldwin appeared in a Santa Fe courthouse on Monday as his lawyers and prosecutors clashed over what evidence could be presented to the jury in his upcoming trial for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
Dressed in a suit with a gray striped tie and thick dark-framed glasses, Mr. Baldwin, who is facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter, appeared attentive during the proceedings, taking notes and conferring with his legal team.
The grand jury indicted Mr. Baldwin for his involvement in the tragic shooting that occurred on October 21, 2021, when a gun he was rehearsing with discharged a live bullet, resulting in the death of Ms. Hutchins. Mr. Baldwin has maintained his innocence, stating that he was unaware the gun contained live ammunition and that he did not pull the trigger before the fatal shot was fired.
During the court session, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that prosecutors could not argue that Mr. Baldwin’s role as a producer on the film made him more responsible for the safety lapses on set that led to the tragedy. The judge also limited the video evidence that could be shown to the jury, allowing only footage directly related to Mr. Baldwin’s handling of weapons.
The defense team argued that some of the videos the prosecution intended to present were aimed at tarnishing Mr. Baldwin’s character rather than providing evidence of his actions on the day of the shooting.
Jury selection is set to begin on Tuesday, with opening statements expected to follow on Wednesday. The trial promises to be a closely watched and highly publicized legal battle as the entertainment industry grapples with the aftermath of the tragic incident on the set of “Rust.”
