Alec Baldwin trial begins: Jury selection underway in high-profile manslaughter case

Baldwin faces trial over the tragic shooting on the 'Rust' film set, with jury selection starting in Santa Fe.

The trial of Alec Baldwin, accused of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, is set to commence this Tuesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The selection of jurors marks the beginning of a case that has drawn widespread attention, not least because of its unusual setting and the celebrity status of the defendant.

Baldwin, renowned for his roles in “30 Rock” and “The Hunt for Red October,” could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of the felony charges.

The incident, which also wounded director Joel Souza, occurred during a rehearsal for the Western film “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch.

The actor has maintained that the shooting was accidental, asserting that the gun discharged after he pulled back the hammer, not the trigger, under the direction to point it towards Hutchins. This tragedy has sparked a broader debate about safety protocols on film sets.

The case's complexities were further highlighted during a pretrial hearing on Monday, where Judge Mary Marlowe Summer determined that Baldwin’s role as a co-producer on "Rust" is not relevant to the charges of involuntary manslaughter. 

This decision is seen as a significant victory for Baldwin's defense.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey expressed skepticism regarding the timeline for jury selection, hinting at potential delays due to the defense team's tactics. 

However, Baldwin’s attorney, Alex Spiro, confidently stated, "I’ve never not picked a jury in one day. I can’t imagine that this would be the first time."

The trial, expected to last nine days with the jury's deliberation to follow, will proceed without cameras in the courtroom during the initial jury selection to protect the privacy of prospective jurors. 

Both the defense and prosecution will have the opportunity to dismiss several jurors without stating a reason, a standard procedure in such trials.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the film industry and public alike await the outcomes, which will likely resonate far beyond the courtroom.