Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ shooting trial live updates: Day 3, statements, witnesses, reactions, jury, verdict...
Baldwin Trial: Live Updates
In a shocking turn of events the involuntary manslaughter trial against Alec Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice by the judge on Friday.
The trial for involuntary manslaughter brought against the actor for death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie ‘Rust’ has been thrown out by the Judge with prejudice.
Alec Baldwin 'Rust' manslaughter trial dismissed by judge
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who is overseeing the involuntary manslaughter trial of Alec Baldwin,dismissed the trial after new evidence came to light that had not been given to the defence.
The court is now in session once again.
Who are the witnesses expected to testify in the ‘Rust’ trial?
The prosecution has listed 44 names as witnesses, while defense has named 14 people as potential witnesses.
Among the names listed by the state is “Rust” director Joel Souza, who was also wounded in the incident. Others on the list are the owner of the props company that provided the ammunition for the movie, people who were part of the film's production, and government officials involved in the investigation.
Among the defense’s list of potential witnesses are other members of the movie’s production team.
<p>Among the names listed by the state is <strong>“Rust” director Joel Souza</strong>, who was also <strong>wounded in the incident</strong>. Others on the list are the <strong>owner of the props company</strong> that provided the ammunition for the movie, people who were part of the film's production, and <strong>government officials</strong> involved in the investigation.</p>
<p>Among the defense’s list of potential witnesses are other members of <strong>the movie’s production team</strong>.</p>
Kari Morrissey, a graduate of the University of New Mexico, is the special prosecutor leading the case against Alec Baldwin. According to the Associated Press, Morrissey has been practicing law for over two decades and is currently one of the leading attorneys in Albuquerque. Her main areas of focus include criminal defense and civil rights.
Kari Morrissey also served as a special prosecutor in the case of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the film, who was also charged with involuntary manslaughter for failing to check the gun before handing it to Baldwin. Hannah was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Morrissey is joined by her colleague, Erlinda Johnson, who is also one of the special prosecutors facing Baldwin’s legal team. Baldwin’s defense is led by renowned celebrity attorney, Alex Spiro.
The Alec Baldwin case is expected to last 10 days. If found guilty, the actor could face up to 18 months in prison and a substantial fine.
The trial of Alec Baldwin will begin on July 9 for the involuntary manslaughter of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who lost her life on October 21, 2021, on the filming set of the film movie ‘Rust,’ in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
According to the facts, Hutchins died after Baldwin accidentally fired a prop gun that was loaded with live ammunition. The shot hit Hutchins, who was behind the camera supervising the take, and injured the film’s director, Joel Souza.
Hutchins was taken by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she died, while Souza was released hours later. More than two years after the event, on July 9, the trial against Alec Baldwin and his role in the unfortunate death of Hutchins will begin.
The trial of actor Alec Baldwin for a manslaughter charge in New Mexico began this week, with today being the third day of proceedings. Baldwin was charged, for a second time, over the fatal shooting on the set of the movie Rust in October 2021.
The victim was Rust’s Director of Photography, Halyna Hutchins, who also produced and co-wrote the film. She was shot on set when Baldwin accidentally fired a Colt .45 pistol while rehearsing for a gunfight scene. Baldwin claims he was told the gun was not loaded, but while practicing how he was going to draw the weapon, it went off, striking Hutchins in the chest. The confusion over how a fully loaded gun ended up on the set with such little care will be central to Baldwin’s case, as his legal defense will likely try to shift the blame away from their client. The bullet traveled through her body, then hitting the film’s director, Joel Souza, in the shoulder. Hutchins was taken by helicopter to the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, where she was declared dead. Souza was admitted to a hospital in Santa Fe but was released the following day.
Baldwin had appealed the second round of charges, but on Friday, 28 June, a New Mexico judge denied his petition. Baldwin was initially formally accused of involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 before charges against the actor were dropped in April of that same year.
Read more on what possible sentence the actor could face if found guilty.
Lawyer for Hutchins' family says they want to see justice served
The lawyer representing Halyna Hutchins’ family in their civil suit against Baldwin, spoke outside the courtroom after the actor arrived.
She said she was there on behalf of her clients who could not come to the U.S. because they live in war-torn Kyiv.
Alec Baldwin Involuntary Manslaughter Trial: Friday July 12, 2024
Welcome to Day 3 of Alec Baldwin's trial in New Mexico, where he is facing charges for a fatal shooting that took place on the movie scene in 2021. Alec Baldwin is accused of involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting and death of cinemaphotographer Alyna Hutchins during rehearsal on the set of the Western film. The felony charge could carry up to 18 months in prison if the actor is found guilty.
The day began with the defense’s cross examination of the county's crime scene technician, which turned tense when Baldwin’s attorney Alex Spiro accused the technician of burying evidence.
The special prosecutor, Kari Morrissey, called the manufacturer of the firearm after lunch who testified that the gun could not have fired by itself.
The trial will resume on Friday morning. It is expected that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the ‘Rust’ armorer who has already been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, will take the stand.