A New Mexico judge has ruled against Alec Baldwin’s attempt to have an involuntary manslaughter charge dismissed in the case of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’ 2021 shooting. This decision paves the way for a trial that will be a significant moment in Hollywood history, as it marks the first time a Hollywood actor will face trial for an on-set death.
Baldwin’s lawyers had argued that the grand jury indictment was flawed, claiming that crucial information was withheld from jurors. However, District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected this argument in a recent court filing.
The trial is set to begin on July 10 and will determine Baldwin’s role in the tragic incident where Hutchins was shot with a live round after Baldwin pointed a gun at her on a film set near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Baldwin maintains that he did not pull the trigger, a claim that is central to his defense.
In a related development, “Rust” armourer Hannah Gutierrez was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for loading the live round into the gun Baldwin was handling.
The death of Halyna Hutchins is a rare tragedy in Hollywood, as fatal on-set shootings involving live ammunition are extremely uncommon. Historian Alan Rode noted that this was the first such incident since the silent film era.
Previous Hollywood on-set shootings have typically been resolved through civil lawsuits, with the last fatality occurring in 1993 when Brandon Lee was killed by a misplaced blank round during the filming of “The Crow.”
This trial has attracted significant attention and will likely have lasting implications for on-set safety protocols in the entertainment industry.
