A New Mexico judge has denied Alec Baldwin's motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge against him in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust." The decision, made on May 24, ensures that Baldwin will face trial in July.
Baldwin's legal team had argued that the prosecutors engaged in unethical practices to secure the indictment, accusing them of "violating nearly every rule in the book".
Baldwin Judge is ON FIRE!
Yesterday's ~5 hour pre-trial hearing for upcoming #AlecBaldwin manslaughter trial was largely a snooze-fest–but the last ~35 minutes was ABSOLUTE FIRE.
So I've carved out that last bit so you can enjoy it without first having to slog through 4.5… pic.twitter.com/GE19PDNxSW
— Law of Self Defense (@LawSelfDefense) June 25, 2024
The incident occurred in October 2021 when Baldwin, while rehearsing a scene, discharged a revolver that contained a live round, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has consistently maintained that he did not pull the trigger and that he was unaware of the presence of live ammunition on the set.
Prosecutors have countered that Baldwin demonstrated recklessness by not participating in the armorer’s safety checks and by handling the gun in a manner that the rehearsal did not require. They argue that Baldwin's failure to follow industry safety protocols contributed to the tragic accident.
Alec Baldwin's criminal trial will go ahead next month 👇 https://t.co/XiD3jJID8W
— 1News (@1NewsNZ) July 1, 2024
The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Prosecutors highlighted that the presence of live rounds on the set was a clear violation of industry standards, emphasizing that live ammunition should never be present during film production.
Baldwin's trial is set to begin on July 9, with jury selection scheduled for the same day. If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison. Baldwin's attorneys have expressed their intention to vigorously defend their client in court, emphasizing their belief in his innocence and their confidence in a favorable outcome.
This high-profile case has drawn significant attention, given Baldwin's celebrity status and the tragic circumstances surrounding Hutchins' death. The trial is expected to be closely watched as it unfolds in the coming weeks.
