The trial of actor Alec Baldwin opened in New Mexico on Wednesday, with the prosecution and defense presenting contrasting narratives of the events leading up to the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
Baldwin, known for his roles in “30 Rock” and his portrayal of Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” is facing up to 18 years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The incident occurred when a gun Baldwin was rehearsing with went off, resulting in Hutchins’ death. It was later discovered that the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, had mistakenly mixed live ammunition with dummy bullets she had brought from home.
In their opening statements, the defense depicted Baldwin as an actor simply doing his job and placing his trust in the crew responsible for weapon safety. On the other hand, prosecutors argued that Baldwin displayed a flagrant disregard for gun safety on a film set with a small budget and inexperienced cast.
The trial began with Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson describing the case as “simple” and “straightforward,” alleging that Baldwin violated firearms safety rules by “playing make-believe with a real gun.” Baldwin’s defense team countered by emphasizing the unique treatment of firearms on a film set and placing blame on the crew members responsible for safety.
The trial will feature testimony from several witnesses and evidence from the Rust set, including footage from the day of the shooting. The first witness called was Officer Nicholas LeFleur, who responded to the scene and attempted to assist Hutchins after she was shot. The courtroom was filled with emotion as attendees watched footage of Hutchins’ final moments, with Baldwin visibly uncomfortable throughout.
The trial is expected to continue until July 19, with Baldwin potentially facing up to 18 years in prison if convicted. The case highlights the importance of safety protocols on film sets and the consequences of negligence in handling firearms.
