USA US judge: "Rust" trial against Alec Baldwin will not be dropped
Alec Baldwin's (66) lawyers have once again failed to avert the upcoming trial against the Hollywood star for involuntary manslaughter. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in Santa Fe in the state of New Mexico announced on Friday (local time) that Baldwin would have to face a jury. Following the death of a camerawoman in October 2021 in a shooting incident on the set of the western "Rust", the trial against the actor and producer is now set to begin as planned on July 9 with the selection of a jury.
Baldwin's lawyers had argued that the gun from which the shot was fired had been damaged during subsequent investigations by FBI investigators. This would mean that they would lack potentially exculpatory evidence in their client's defense. The defense attorneys had previously complained of formal errors in a motion to dismiss the case, which also failed.
The Hollywood star had claimed in interviews that he had not pulled the trigger of the gun. The FBI investigators examined, among other things, whether a possible malfunction of the Colt could have led to it being triggered. According to a report by firearms experts, the trigger must have been pulled.
Following the death of camerawoman Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, charges were brought against Baldwin in January 2023, but dropped three months later. Further investigations and forensic analyses were required, the public prosecutor's office said at the time. He was then charged again last January. Baldwin pleaded not guilty.
In a separate trial, weapons master Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for weapons safety on the set of "Rust", was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. In April, the judge imposed the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison on Gutierrez-Reed.
Baldwin was involved in the film as the lead actor and producer. The fatal shot was fired during a rehearsal for a scene. It is unclear how the live ammunition reached the set. Baldwin has always denied responsibility for the fatal accident. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in prison.
SDA
