July 10, 2024
He did not know, or have any reason to know, that gun was loaded with a live bullet.
Defense attorney Alex Spiro, one of the attorneys representing Alec Baldwin in the trial of the fatal shooting on the “Rust” movie set, said in an opening statement on Wednesday.
What To Know: Alec Baldwin faces an involuntary manslaughter charge after he shot a gun with a live bullet in 2021 on the set of the movie “Rust,” killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. His trial began this week in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Baldwin pleaded not guilty. If the jury finds Baldwin guilty, he could face 18 months in jail. The prosecution argues Baldwin handled the firearm with negligence while Baldwin’s team says weapon safety should be the responsibility of other professionals on the set rather than him.
One of the prosecutors, Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, said in her opening statement: “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.”
Something to Consider: Baldwin is not the only person facing criminal charges for the “Rust” shooting; a jury found the armorer assigned to handle prop guns on set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March and she received an 18-month jail sentence (though is seeking a retrial). David Halls, the first assistant director, accepted a plea deal of a six-month probation.
Read More: Live Updates: Prosecutors Accuse Alec Baldwin of ‘Reckless Disregard,’ as Defense Calls Shooting a ‘Tragic Accident’ (The New York Times)
Alec Baldwin ‘played make-believe with real gun’ on ‘Rust’ set, prosecutor says at manslaughter trial (New York Post)
Photo Credit: AP / Ross D. Franklin
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
