Opening statements begin in Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial for ‘Rust’ movie set shooting

Opening statements began in the involuntary manslaughter trial of actor Alec Baldwin Wednesday, nearly three years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on the New Mexico set of the Western film “Rust.”

Opening statements began Wednesday in the involuntary manslaughter trial of actor Alec Baldwin, nearly three years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on the New Mexico set of the Western film “Rust.” “When someone plays make-believe with a real gun in a real-life workplace, and while playing make-believe with that gun violates the cardinal rules of firearm safety, people’s lives are endangered and someone could be killed,” prosecutor Erlinda Johnson told jurors. “The evidence will show that someone who played make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety is the defendant, Alexander Baldwin.” Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 2021 death of the 42-year-old. A film director also was wounded when a gun held by Baldwin fired a live round during a scene rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a movie set outside Santa Fe. Twelve jurors and four alternates were empaneled Tuesday for the trial in Sante Fe, selected after the prosecution and defense questioned a pool of 70 Sante Fe County residents earlier in the day. If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The case has been marked by years-long fits and starts with turnovers in prosecutors, a prosecution stalled by questions surrounding the integrity of evidence and a steady spate of motions from Baldwin’s team attempting to get the charge thrown out.