Jury Selection Commences as Alec Baldwin Stands Trial for Fatal 'Rust' Shooting

Jury Selection Commences as Alec Baldwin Stands Trial for Fatal 'Rust' Shooting

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Jury selection is set to commence on Tuesday for Alec Baldwin's trial on charges of manslaughter following the tragic 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust" in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

During a rehearsal at a local church for the Western film, Baldwin, 66, was practicing a cross-draw when a live round discharged from a Colt .45 revolver, fatally striking 42-year-old Hutchins. Baldwin, who also served as a producer on the film, was indicted earlier this year by a grand jury on involuntary manslaughter charges after a previous charge was dropped. He has pleaded not guilty.

The selection of jurors is anticipated to conclude within one day, with the trial slated to run through July 19.

Baldwin has consistently maintained that he did not intentionally fire the weapon, a claim supported by the FBI's forensic report, which determined that the gun could not have discharged without the trigger being pulled.

In preparation for the trial, prosecutors aimed to argue that Baldwin's responsibilities as a producer included ensuring safe conditions on set. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommers ruled against allowing this argument during a recent evidence hearing.

Defense attorney Luke Nikas argued that attributing liability to Baldwin based on his producer role would unfairly prejudice the jury, stating it was more prejudicial than probative.

Prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson contended that it was pertinent to show Baldwin's awareness of safety protocols and his authority to enforce them as a producer.

In her ruling, Marlowe Sommers deemed that the potential value of this evidence did not outweigh the risk of confusing the jury or causing unfair prejudice.

The judge further decided that footage depicting Baldwin's handling of the firearm on the "Rust" set would be admissible in court, but videos showing him expressing frustration with the crew were deemed irrelevant to the case.

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