In a recent court ruling, a judge denied Alec Baldwin’s motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge against him, allowing the trial to proceed in early July. The case stems from the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie ‘Rust’ in 2021. The judge rejected claims by Baldwin’s defense team that key evidence was damaged during FBI forensic testing.
The ruling sets the stage for the trial, with jury selection scheduled for July 9 in Santa Fe. Prosecutors intend to call over 60 witnesses to testify, including film director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, and assistant director Dave Halls. Baldwin, who maintains his innocence, has the option to testify at his own trial.
The shooting occurred during a rehearsal on the ‘Rust’ set when Baldwin, holding a prop gun, pointed it at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The gun discharged, fatally injuring Hutchins and wounding director Souza. Baldwin claims he never pulled the trigger and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The FBI conducted tests on the gun and prosecutors plan to present evidence showing that the firearm was in working order and required a trigger pull to fire. Despite challenges in the investigation, including setbacks and allegations of evidence mishandling, the trial is set to move forward.
The judge’s decision highlights the complexities of the case and the importance of the upcoming trial in determining Baldwin’s legal fate. Stay tuned for more updates as the trial progresses on HeadlineFly.com.
