During Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter trial, which began on Wednesday, jurors were presented with police bodycam footage. The trial is related to the tragic shooting incident that took place on the set of the movie “Rust” in October 2021, which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The Daily Mail reported that Baldwin, aged 66, appeared visibly distressed as he watched the footage during the first day of his trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In the video, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas LeFleur was heard informing dispatchers about a female shot in the chest and a male shot in the stomach. He also requested an air evacuation. This information was relayed according to the report.
The Associated Press reported that this video captured desperate attempts to save Hutchins, who appeared unconscious, while several people attended to her and provided her with an oxygen mask. In court, Baldwin watched this footage with a somber expression.
Special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson argued before the jury that Baldwin was playing make-believe with a real gun according to CNN. Baldwin, on his part, has claimed that the gun fired accidentally when he pointed it towards Hutchins following instructions. He said he was unaware that the gun was loaded with a live round and asserted that he pulled back the hammer, not the trigger.
However, Johnson disputed Baldwin’s version of events. She told the jury that the evidence will show that Baldwin’s claim is impossible. The prosecutor further stated that the weapon was in perfect working order and claimed Baldwin had declined multiple opportunities for standard safety checks with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed before rehearsal.
Johnson narrated how Baldwin cocked the hammer, pointed it straight at Hutchins, and fired, sending a live bullet into Hutchins’ body. The incident also resulted in Director Joel Souza being wounded in his shoulder.
During opening statements, Alex Spiro, Baldwin’s attorney, argued that his client’s actions were not criminal but rather an actor acting. Spiro attributed the accident to a failure by those responsible for ensuring safety on set.
Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in this case in February and given an 18-month prison sentence, which is the maximum penalty for this charge.
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