The involuntary manslaughter trial of Alec Baldwin in connection with the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film Rust got off to a slow start in a New Mexico courtroom on Tuesday. The judge and lawyers had expected to have a jury seated within a day, but technical problems delayed the questioning of prospective jurors by more than two hours. When Judge Mary Marlowe Summer asked the pool of 70 prospective jurors if they were familiar with the case, most of them raised their hands, indicating they had some knowledge of the incident.
However, two potential jurors indicated they would not be able to be fair and impartial and were subsequently excused from the jury pool. The 66-year-old Baldwin, dressed in a grey suit and glasses, sat in the courtroom with a team of four lawyers, while his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and brother, Stephen Baldwin, watched from the back of the courtroom.
As the questioning proceeded, a potential juror revealed that she hated firearms, but most of the others acknowledged owning guns, and few expressed strong opinions about guns. Despite the slow start, the courtroom was filled with a sense of anticipation and gravity, as the trial is expected to be highly publicized due to Baldwin’s celebrity status.
Alec Baldwin (Via Alec Baldwin/Twitter)
The prosecution, led by Kari Morrissey, posed questions to the potential jurors, while Baldwin’s defense team worked to ensure that their client received a fair trial. The six-week trial is expected to be intense and emotionally challenging, particularly for the families of Hutchins and director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the incident.
Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison if jurors unanimously decide to convict him of involuntary manslaughter. The jurors will be tasked with deciding whether Baldwin committed the felony when he pointed a revolver at Hutchins during a rehearsal, which resulted in the accidental discharge that led to her death.
The trial is expected to be a unique experience for the prospective jurors, who will be tasked with evaluating the evidence and determining Baldwin’s guilt or innocence. In the event of a conviction, the verdict would likely have significant implications for Baldwin’s career and personal life.
