A jury hears opening statements Wednesday as actor Alec Baldwin goes on trial for involuntary manslaughter over the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”
Prosecutors and defense attorneys selected 16 jurors yesterday. Four of the jurors will be alternates.
On Oct. 21, 2021, Mr. Baldwin pointed a gun at Ms. Hutchins when she was behind the camera. An unexpected gunshot hit her in the torso. The shot also hit director Joel Souza in the shoulder. Mr. Baldwin says he never pulled the trigger, while his lawyers say the gun malfunctioned.
Prosecutors are said to be focusing on the actor’s alleged flouting of gun safety protocols on set. Mr. Baldwin’s legal team has made several unsuccessful attempts to have the case dismissed.
The person in charge of handling firearms on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March for mistakenly loading a live round into Mr. Baldwin’s gun. Ms. Gutierrez received the maximum 18-month sentence. She is appealing her conviction.
Jeremy Rosenthal, a trial attorney and founding partner of Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian, told NTD what we can expect.