On Wednesday, a jury in Santa Fe will hear opening statements in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Alec Baldwin, following the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a film set nearly three years ago. This incident, which resulted in Hutchins’ death and a felony charge against Baldwin, has spotlighted issues of gun safety within the film industry.
The selected jury, comprising 11 women and five men from a region known for its strong gun ownership and safety culture, will soon deliberate on the case. The fatal incident occurred on a low-budget Western movie set at a remote ranch, where Baldwin, also a co-producer of “Rust,” allegedly fired a live round unintentionally, claiming he only pulled the hammer back, not the trigger.
Prosecutors argue that Baldwin deviated from standard firearm safety protocols, asserting that Baldwin should be held accountable regardless of the setting. In contrast, Baldwin’s defense hinges on the reliability of the crew assigned to handle weapons on set, suggesting he was entitled to trust the gun was safe.
This case has broader implications for the industry, especially regarding the safety measures on set and the responsibilities of actors and crew. The trial will explore detailed aspects of the gun’s safety checks, the weapon’s mechanics, and whether it could have discharged without a trigger pull. The incident not only claimed Hutchins’ life but also injured director Joel Souza, intensifying scrutiny on the film’s safety practices.
Previously, another involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dropped in April 2023 after new evidence suggested the gun might have malfunctioned due to modifications prior to the incident. However, further analysis indicated the trigger had to have been engaged to fire, leading to ongoing debates about the integrity of the firearm’s testing by the FBI, which Baldwin’s defense claims could have compromised potential exculpatory evidence.
