Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter trial in the fatal 2021 shooting on the New Mexico set of “Rust” got underway slowly in Santa Fe on Tuesday with the selection of 12 jurors and four alternates who will decide the fate of the Hollywood powerhouse.
The 66-year-old actor faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted in the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins nearly three years ago.
Baldwin, the star and producer of the film, was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal for the Joel Souza-directed western at the Bonanza Creek Ranch on Oct. 21, 2021.
The gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding Souza.
On Tuesday, Baldwin, his wife Hilaria and their infant daughter arrived at the courthouse around 8 a.m. local time, according to Variety.
In the morning, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer was confident jury selection would move quickly and that opening statements could begin as early as Wednesday.
“I’m not worried about being able to pick a jury in one day,” Marlowe Sommer said. “I think we’re going to pick a jury by the afternoon.”
However, the questioning of potential jurors didn’t begin until two hours later than expected due to technical issues, and when it did, things proved to move slowly.
When the judge asked the pool of 70 prospects if they were familiar with the case — which has dominated headlines both locally and nationwide for years — all but two people raised their hands.
Two others said they wouldn’t be able to be fair and impartial and were ultimately excused.
Baldwin’s defense team had shared the judge’s confidence in a swift selection process.
“I’ve never not picked a jury in one day,” Baldwin’s attorney Alex Spiro said. “I can’t imagine that this would be the first time.”
However, prosecutors weren’t so sure.
“It is my guess that with this group of defense attorneys, that’s not gonna happen,” Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey said, likely referring to clashes with the defense in the run-up to the trial.
Under state law, the defense can dismiss up to five jurors, while the prosecution is allowed to dismiss three people.
Jurors will be tasked with deciding whether Baldwin acted negligently with the gun.
During a pre-trial hearing on Monday, Judge Marlowe Sommer ruled Baldwin’s role as a “Rust” co-producer wasn’t relevant to the trial.
Prosecutors had hoped to use Baldwin’s position to argue he acted recklessly and bore responsibility for the dangerous conditions that led to the shooting.
The trial is expected to conclude on July 19.
With News Wire Services
