Jury selection starts as Alec Baldwin's trial commences over fatal 'Rust' shooting

 Jury selection for Alec Baldwin's manslaughter trial is set to begin on Tuesday. The trial stems from the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust" in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The incident occurred when Baldwin was rehearsing a cross-draw in a church scene, and the Colt .45 revolver he was handling discharged a live round, killing Hutchins. The actor, also a producer on the film, was indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges earlier this year after prosecutors initially dropped the charge. Baldwin, 66, has pleaded not guilty.

Baldwin has asserted he did not pull the trigger, although the FBI's forensic report concluded the gun could not have fired without the trigger being pulled.

Prosecutors intended to argue that Baldwin, as a producer, was responsible for the unsafe conditions on the set. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommers ruled against this argument, stating it was more prejudicial than probative. She did allow footage of Baldwin handling the firearm as evidence but excluded videos of him yelling at the crew.

Baldwin's defense team filed multiple motions to dismiss the indictment, all of which were denied. A request by the state to compel testimony from the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, was also denied. Gutierrez, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison, has appealed her conviction.

The trial is scheduled to run through July 19. Key witnesses may include David Halls, the film’s safety coordinator, and Joel Souza, the director of "Rust," who was also injured during the shooting.

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