Alec Baldwin’s lawyers have failed to avert the trial against the US actor for negligent homicide. It is set to begin in mid-July.
Alec Baldwin’s lawyers have once again failed to avert the upcoming trial against the Hollywood star for negligent homicide. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in Santa Fe, 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 scheduled to begin as planned on July 9 with the selection of jurors.
Baldwin’s lawyers had argued that the gun from which the shot was fired had been damaged during subsequent investigations by FBI investigators. This meant that they were missing potentially exculpatory evidence in their client’s defense. The defense had previously complained of formal errors in a motion to dismiss the case, which also failed.
Alec Baldwin claims he did not shoot
The Hollywood star had claimed in interviews that he had not pulled the trigger of the weapon. FBI investigators were looking into whether a possible malfunction of the Colt could have caused the gun to go off. 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 the 66-year-old in January 2023, but were dropped three months later. Further investigations and forensic analyses were required, prosecutors said at the time. He was then charged again last January. Baldwin pleaded not guilty.
In a separate trial, gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for gun safety on the set of “Rust,” was found guilty of negligent homicide. In April, the judge imposed the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison on Gutierrez-Reed.
Baldwin acted as the lead actor and as a producer in the film. The fatal shot was fired during a rehearsal for a scene. It is unclear how the live ammunition got onto the set. Baldwin has always denied responsibility for the fatal accident. If convicted, he faces up to 18 months in prison.
Source: Stern
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