In a landmark trial, Alec Baldwin stands accused of violating essential gun safety rules during the tragic 2021 shooting on the set of “Rust” that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The prosecution claims Baldwin’s actions directly led to the fatal incident, marking an unprecedented case of holding an actor criminally responsible for an on-set shooting.
During the proceedings, Baldwin, 66, was seen calmly taking notes as the New Mexico prosecutor Erlinda Johnson presented her arguments. She asserted that Baldwin’s handling of the firearm—pointing it at Hutchins, cocking it, and pulling the trigger—was reckless and against fundamental safety protocols.
“The evidence will show that someone who played make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety is the defendant, Alexander Baldwin,” Johnson declared to the jury.
In contrast, Baldwin’s defense attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that the actor was let down by the movie’s designated safety experts. He pointed to “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez and first assistant director Dave Halls, both of whom have already been convicted in connection with the incident. Spiro maintained that Baldwin had no criminal intent and relied on the professionals responsible for ensuring the gun’s safety.
“There were people responsible for firearms safety, but actor Alec Baldwin committed no crime,” Spiro contended.
The shooting, which also injured director Joel Souza, involved a reproduction 1873 Single Action Army revolver that discharged a live round inadvertently loaded by Gutierrez. Baldwin has consistently maintained that the gun went off without him pulling the trigger. An FBI test in 2022 found the gun functioned normally and required the trigger to be pulled to fire.
In a strategic shift, Spiro acknowledged that even if Baldwin had pulled the trigger, it did not constitute a crime, emphasizing that actors are allowed to perform such actions under the supervision of safety experts.
“On a movie set, you’re allowed to pull the trigger, so even if he intentionally pulled the trigger, as prosecutors said, that doesn’t mean he committed a homicide,” Spiro argued.
Initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2022, Baldwin saw the charges dropped three months later after his lawyers presented evidence suggesting the gun had been modified, potentially making it more prone to accidental discharge. However, the charges were reinstated after a grand jury reviewed findings from an independent firearms expert, corroborating the FBI’s study.
“He pointed the gun at another human being, cocked the hammer, and pulled the trigger in reckless disregard for Ms. Hutchins’ safety,” Johnson reiterated.
Gutierrez, convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March for her role in the incident, faced scrutiny for her failure to ensure the firearm’s safety. Meanwhile, high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins’ family in a lawsuit against Baldwin, was present in the courtroom’s public gallery.
