<p>Alec Baldwin was accused of violating basic gun safety rules and playing "make-believe" with a deadly weapon, as the Hollywood star's trial for involuntary manslaughter over a fatal shooting on the set of the Western movie "Rust" began Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Baldwin was holding a prop revolver during the fateful rehearsal in October 2021 when it fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding the movie's director.</p>

<p>He has said that he did not know the gun was loaded, and denies that he pulled the revolver's trigger.</p>

<p>But in opening statements at the Santa Fe court, prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson painted a picture of a powerful movie star who acted in "a reckless manner" and "without due regard for the safety of others" on set.</p>

<p>Baldwin played "make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety," Johnson told the jury.</p>

<p>She said Baldwin had "requested to be assigned the biggest gun available" for the "Rust" scene, had failed to take a gun training session seriously, and regularly cocked and pointed the gun at people on set.</p>

<p>"Movie set safety rules require actors like the defendant to treat every firearm as though it's loaded, to never point a firearm at another person, and to never put your finger on the trigger unless you're prepared to shoot," she told the jury.</p>

<p><strong>- 'Gunfights in movies' -</strong><br />
<br />
Baldwin, 66, could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty.</p>

<p>The actor appeared in the courtroom in the southwestern state of New Mexico on Wednesday wearing a dark suit and tie, and chatted quietly with his wife Hilaria and brother Stephen before opening statements began.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro -- whose other clients include Elon Musk and Jay-Z -- delivered a long opening statement rebutting the notion that normal gun safety rules apply for actors while performing roles.</p>

<p>"These cardinal rules? They're not cardinal rules on a movie set," said Spiro.</p>

<p>"You've all seen gunfights in movies," he told the jury, citing classics like "Platoon," "Apocalypse Now" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."</p>

<p>"The reason that can happen is because safety is ensured before the actor" is handed the weapon, he said.</p>

<p>Spiro focused blame on the movie's safety officials, including armourer Hannah Gutierrez and first assistant director David Halls.</p>

<p>Gutierrez was convicted by the same court earlier this year and is serving an 18-month sentence. Halls pled guilty to negligence, under a deal to avoid prison.</p>

<p>Live bullets are banned from movie sets. Spiro also criticized police for failing to find the fatal bullet.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>- Victim -</strong><br />
<br />
Hutchins, the victim, was originally from Ukraine, and her career as a Hollywood cinematographer was thriving when she was killed, at the age of 42.</p>

<p>The tragedy occurred during a rehearsal in a small chapel on the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a historic location for Western movies, on a sunny afternoon mid-way through the filming of "Rust."</p>

<p>Baldwin was preparing for a scene in which his character, a grizzled outlaw trapped in the church by two marshals, brandishes his Colt six-shooter.</p>

<p>An earlier take of the scene was played on screens for jurors.</p>

<p>Spiro repeated that Baldwin was told the gun was "cold," meaning it was not loaded, and that he was instructed by Hutchins to aim the revolver toward her camera when it misfired.</p>

<p>An FBI report has contradicted part of Baldwin's story, concluding that the revolver could not have fired without its trigger being pulled.</p>

<p>Prosecutors will present witnesses including the gun's manufacturer to support that finding.</p>

<p>But those FBI tests damaged the weapon. Spiro told jurors that Baldwin was robbed of a chance to disprove the report's findings, even suggesting the damage was deliberate.</p>

<p><strong>- Witnesses -</strong><br />
<br />
The jury will hear testimony from witnesses including Halls, and prop firearms supplier Seth Kenney.</p>

<p>It is not yet known if Baldwin plans to take the stand in his defence. Legal experts say it would be a risky move, exposing the allegedly temperamental actor to hostile cross-examination.</p>

<p>Spiro has already warned jurors their feelings about Baldwin's high-profile career -- including his Donald Trump impersonations for "Saturday Night Live" -- cannot cloud their judgments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The trial is scheduled to conclude Friday of next week. Jury deliberations could extend into the following week.<br />
<br />
<em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>


Alec Baldwin was accused of violating basic gun safety rules and playing "make-believe" with a deadly weapon, as the Hollywood star's trial for involuntary manslaughter over a fatal shooting on the set of the Western movie "Rust" began Wednesday.

Alec Baldwin was accused of violating basic gun safety rules and playing "make-believe" with a deadly weapon, as the Hollywood star's trial for involuntary manslaughter over a fatal shooting on the set of the Western movie "Rust" began Wednesday. Baldwin was holding a prop revolver during the fateful rehearsal in October 2021 when it fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding the movie's director. He has said that he did not know the gun was loaded, and denies that he pulled the revolver's trigger. But in opening statements at the Santa Fe court, prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson painted a picture of a powerful movie star who acted in "a reckless manner" and "without due regard for the safety of others" on set. Baldwin played "make-believe with a real gun and violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety," Johnson told the jury. She said Baldwin had "requested to be assigned the biggest gun available" for the "Rust" scene, had failed to take a gun training session seriously, and regularly cocked and pointed the gun at people on set. "Movie set safety rules require actors like the defendant to treat every firearm as though it's loaded, to never point a firearm at another person, and to never put your finger on the trigger unless you're prepared to shoot," she told the jury. - 'Gunfights in movies' - Baldwin, 66, could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty. The actor appeared in the courtroom in the southwestern state of New Mexico on Wednesday wearing a dark suit and tie, and chatted quietly with his wife Hilaria and brother Stephen before opening statements began. His celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro -- whose other clients include Elon Musk and Jay-Z -- delivered a long opening statement rebutting the notion that normal gun safety rules apply for actors while performing roles. "These cardinal rules? They're not cardinal rules on a movie set," said Spiro. "You've all seen gunfights in movies," he told the jury, citing classics like "Platoon," "Apocalypse Now" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." "The reason that can happen is because safety is ensured before the actor" is handed the weapon, he said. Spiro focused blame on the movie's safety officials, including armourer Hannah Gutierrez and first assistant director David Halls. Gutierrez was convicted by the same court earlier this year and is serving an 18-month sentence. Halls pled guilty to negligence, under a deal to avoid prison. Live bullets are banned from movie sets. Spiro also criticized police for failing to find the fatal bullet. - Victim - Hutchins, the victim, was originally from Ukraine, and her career as a Hollywood cinematographer was thriving when she was killed, at the age of 42. The tragedy occurred during a rehearsal in a small chapel on the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a historic location for Western movies, on a sunny afternoon mid-way through the filming of "Rust." Baldwin was preparing for a scene in which his character, a grizzled outlaw trapped in the church by two marshals, brandishes his Colt six-shooter. An earlier take of the scene was played on screens for jurors. Spiro repeated that Baldwin was told the gun was "cold," meaning it was not loaded, and that he was instructed by Hutchins to aim the revolver toward her camera when it misfired. An FBI report has contradicted part of Baldwin's story, concluding that the revolver could not have fired without its trigger being pulled. Prosecutors will present witnesses including the gun's manufacturer to support that finding. But those FBI tests damaged the weapon. Spiro told jurors that Baldwin was robbed of a chance to disprove the report's findings, even suggesting the damage was deliberate. - Witnesses - The jury will hear testimony from witnesses including Halls, and prop firearms supplier Seth Kenney. It is not yet known if Baldwin plans to take the stand in his defence. Legal experts say it would be a risky move, exposing the allegedly temperamental actor to hostile cross-examination. Spiro has already warned jurors their feelings about Baldwin's high-profile career -- including his Donald Trump impersonations for "Saturday Night Live" -- cannot cloud their judgments. The trial is scheduled to conclude Friday of next week. Jury deliberations could extend into the following week. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Alec Baldwin trial hears actor broke 'cardinal' safety rules for handling guns

<p>Alec Baldwin is moving on from the <em>Rust</em> incident. The actor and his wife Hilaria along with their children are all set to feature in a new reality series that will focus on their family life.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The show, titled <em>The Baldwins</em>, is set to release in 2025. Baldwin announced the TLC reality show, which will feature their life with seven children under the age of 10.<br />
<br />
Baldwin is set to go trial for involuntary manslaughter charges over the firing incident that took place on the sets of <em>Rust</em> back in 2021. The trial is set for July in Santa Fe, and Baldwin has pleaded not guilty.<br />
<br />
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. During the filming of <em>Rust</em>,&nbsp;a revolver Baldwin was holding fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has stated he did not pull the trigger.</p>

<p><br />
<strong>About the new show The Baldwins</strong><br />
<br />
In a video shared on Instagram, Baldwin said the show will capture the ups and downs of their family life. The couple joked about more pregnancies but confirmed they are done having kids. Sharing the clip, they wrote, "We’ve got an exciting announcement to share! Coming in 2025... (sic)."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7zLlVbOKuO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7zLlVbOKuO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7zLlVbOKuO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7zLlVbOKuO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Alec Baldwin (@alecbaldwininsta)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Baldwin and Hilaria married in July 2012 and had their first child in August 2013. Baldwin shares daughter Ireland with former wife, actress Kim Basinger.</p>


Alec Baldwin is moving on from the Rust incident. The actor and his wife Hilaria along with their children are all set to feature in a new reality series that will focus on their family life.

Alec Baldwin is moving on from the Rust incident. The actor and his wife Hilaria along with their children are all set to feature in a new reality series that will focus on their family life. The show, titled The Baldwins, is set to release in 2025. Baldwin announced the TLC reality show, which will feature their life with seven children under the age of 10. Baldwin is set to go trial for involuntary manslaughter charges over the firing incident that took place on the sets of Rust back in 2021. The trial is set for July in Santa Fe, and Baldwin has pleaded not guilty. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. During the filming of Rust, a revolver Baldwin was holding fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin has stated he did not pull the trigger. About the new show The Baldwins In a video shared on Instagram, Baldwin said the show will capture the ups and downs of their family life. The couple joked about more pregnancies but confirmed they are done having kids. Sharing the clip, they wrote, "We’ve got an exciting announcement to share! Coming in 2025... (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alec Baldwin (@alecbaldwininsta) × Baldwin and Hilaria married in July 2012 and had their first child in August 2013. Baldwin shares daughter Ireland with former wife, actress Kim Basinger.

Alec Baldwin, awaiting trial for involuntary manslaughter, announces new reality show with family

rust-trial

Rust Trial, News on Rust Trial, stories on Rust Trial, articles on Rust Trial, Rust Trial stories at Wion, Rust Trial news, Rust Trial latest news

rust trial

Alec Baldwin trial hears actor broke 'cardinal' safety rules for handling guns

Alec Baldwin, awaiting trial for involuntary manslaughter, announces new reality show with family