Actor Alec Baldwin in Santa Fe court on Wednesday.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Ross D. Franklin/AP
Testimony is underway in actor Alec Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter. He appeared in court on Wednesday in Santa Fe, supported by his wife, Hilaria, and multiple siblings.
Nearly three years ago, Baldwin was pointing a gun during a rehearsal on the set of the movie Rust. It went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding the film’s director, Joel Souza.
Attorneys on both sides presented their opening arguments to the jury on Wednesday.
The prosecution’s approach
Special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson argued that Baldwin flouted safety standards on set.
Attorney Erlinda O. Johnson made opening statements on behalf of the prosecution team.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Ross D. Franklin/AP
“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,” Johnson said.
She argued that Baldwin didn’t do a safety check of the Colt .45 before the fatal shooting during a rehearsal in a church scene for Rust.
The defense
Baldwin’s attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that others were responsible for letting a live round onto the film set and into the gun in the first place.
Alex Spiro, one of Baldwin’s attorneys.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Ross D. Franklin/AP
“Those people failed in their duties, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime,” he argued.
The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has already been convicted for involuntary manslaughter and is serving an 18-month sentence. She was responsible for weapons on set.
Spiro also played tape of a 911 call made from the set, in which Rust script supervisor Mamie Mitchell calls the shooting an accident. She also mentions the film’s first assistant director, calling him “responsible.” First assistant director Dave Halls previously took a plea deal and agreed to testify in upcoming trials related to the shooting, including Baldwin’s.
Testimony begins
Jurors heard testimony from multiple Santa Fe officers on the scene that day, along with a crime scene technician.
Testimony is expected to continue through next week.