Alec Baldwin will stand trial over his role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his film Rust today.
The Hollywood actor will appear at a courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to face a charge of involuntary manslaughter three years after Hutchins’s death on the western film set in October 2021.
The 66-year-old, who was also one of the film’s co-producers, has pleaded not guilty to the offence and said he did not pull the trigger of the gun.
The film set weapons handler, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who loaded the gun for Mr Baldwin before it fired, was convicted in March of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
If he is found guilty by the jury selected yesterday, Mr Baldwin could face a similar level of punishment.
Follow the latest updates below.
4:04PM
Judge reads grand jury indictment
The judge mary marlowe sommer is now explaining trial procedures and reading the grand jury indictment.
She said: “The above named defendent [Alec Baldwin] did cause the death of Halyna Hutchins by an act committed with the total disregard or indifference for the safety of others and the act was such that the ordinary person would anticipate that might occur under the circumstances.
“Again Mr Baldwin is presumed innocent. The burden is always on the state to prove guilt beyond a resonable doubt.”
3:53PM
Baldwin takes seat in court room
Alec Baldwin has taken his seat in the court room.
The actor is dressed in a dark suit and glasses.
The court room appears full with almost all the seats behind him occupied.
There is currently no sound playing from the court feed.
3:35PM
How we have got here
Today’s trial follows Alec Baldwin being charged again with involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
A grand jury in New Mexico revived the case against the 65-year-old Hollywood star, nine months after the charges were dropped by state prosecutors.
It is understood that at least eight of the 12 jurors agreed that there was probable cause to indict the actor.
The actor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter through the negligent use of a firearm or alternatively without due caution or circumspection.
If convicted, he faces a potential jail term of up to 18 months for a fourth-degree felony under New Mexico law.
Click here to read the full story from earlier this year
3:26PM
Pictured: Baldwin arriving in Santa Fe for trial
Actor Alec Baldwin was pictured arriving in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for his involuntary manslaughter trial.
Since a police interview on Oct 21, 2021, the day of the shooting, Baldwin has argued the gun just “went off.”
In an ABC News interview two months later, Baldwin told George Stephanopoulos he did not pull the trigger.
3:21PM
Prosecutors will argue that Mr Baldwin disregarded safety during Rust filming
It’s been nearly three years since Halyna Hutchins was shot dead on the set of Rust.
On Wednesday a New Mexico jury of 12 and four alternates — 11 women and five men chosen Tuesday — will hear prosecutors on Wednesday outline their arguments.
They will argue that Baldwin disregarded safety during filming of the low-budget movie before pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal, cocking it and pulling the trigger as they set up a camera shot on a set southwest of Santa Fe.
The post Alec Baldwin trial live: Actor stands trial over fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins appeared first on The Telegraph.
