Alec Baldwin reveals Halyna Hutchins’ final moments as he faces manslaughter trial | Entertainment news
Alec Baldwin has transitioned from a movie role to a manslaughter trial.
Having been in Hollywood for four decades, he is accustomed to the media spotlight, but this trial places him under intense scrutiny that is unfamiliar to him.
Arriving at the courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Baldwin was surrounded by TV cameras.
Alec Baldwin listened closely throughout. Pic: AP
He remained silent as he faced questions from reporters. How was he feeling? Would he be acquitted? Is he concerned about being imprisoned? Was he accountable for the death of Halyna Hutchins?
The latter is the primary question the jury will deliberate on in the next two weeks.
It is undisputed that Ms. Hutchins was fatally shot by a live bullet discharged from a gun he aimed at her.
However, the prosecution and defense are presenting contrasting narratives about the incident and its causes.
The state of New Mexico alleges that Baldwin demonstrated a “reckless disregard” for gun safety, while the defense argues he followed industry standards and could not have foreseen that live ammunition would be present on set.
Alec Baldwin entered the courtroom on the second floor of the First Judicial District Courthouse accompanied by his wife Hilaria, the mother of seven of his children.
She sat in the front row of the public gallery, while he sat in the dock surrounded by his two defense attorneys.
Hilaria Baldwin and the actor’s brother Stephen, (L) were in court. Pic: AP
Actor Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria Baldwin leave court. Pic: AP
He was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, stylish tie, and thick-framed glasses. He paid close attention as the court viewed body camera footage showing the frantic attempts to save Ms. Hutchins’ life, a promising cinematographer.
Baldwin’s actor brother Stephen and sister Beth were present in court, engaging in conversations with Baldwin during breaks in the proceedings.
Footage showed Baldwin on set talking to assistant director Dave Halls following the shooting
Erlinda Johnson, representing the prosecution, began her opening statement by displaying an image of Halyna Hutchins on the courtroom’s evidence TV screen.
She appeared joyful as the sun set over the Bonanza Creek ranch, with a wooden church film set in the background. It was within that building where she tragically lost her life days later. The prosecution contends that Baldwin shares culpability.
“The evidence will demonstrate, ladies and gentlemen,” Ms. Johnson stated, “that, as in many workplaces, there are individuals who behave recklessly, endangering others without regard for safety. This, you will hear, was the defendant, Alexander Baldwin, the lead actor in this film.”
Two months after the tragic incident in October 2021 that resulted in Halyna Hutchins’ death, Alec Baldwin denied pulling the trigger during an interview with ABC.
During his opening statement, his defense attorney seemed to be retracting that assertion.
Alex Spiro remarked, “On a film set, it is permissible to pull the trigger, so even if he did so, as the prosecution demonstrated, that does not equate to a charge of homicide. He was unaware and had no reason to believe the gun contained live ammunition.”
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The trial is anticipated to span eight days, excluding jury deliberations.
A pivotal question looming over the proceedings is whether Baldwin will testify.
While it would inject Hollywood drama into the trial, it poses a potential risk for the defense.
