The jury selection process commences coinciding with Alec Baldwin's trial concerning the tragic 'Rust' shooting incident.

Jury selection is set to commence on Tuesday for Alec Baldwin's manslaughter trial linked to the 2021 fatal shooting of a crew member during the filming of "Rust" in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The incident occurred as Baldwin, practicing a cross-draw with a Colt .45 revolver in a church on the set, inadvertently discharged a live round that fatally struck 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin, also a producer on the film, faces involuntary manslaughter charges following a grand jury indictment earlier this year, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The jury selection process is anticipated to last one day, with the trial scheduled to run until July 19. Despite maintaining he did not pull the trigger, Baldwin's defense contends that forensic evidence from the FBI suggests the gun could not discharge without deliberate action.

Prosecutors had aimed to argue Baldwin's responsibility as a producer for unsafe conditions on set. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommers ruled against allowing such arguments during a recent evidence hearing, deeming them potentially prejudicial.

Among other rulings, the judge permitted footage from the "Rust" set showing Baldwin's handling of firearms as evidence, but excluded videos of him admonishing the crew. Baldwin's defense team had unsuccessfully sought to dismiss the indictment in the weeks preceding the trial.

Additionally, the judge denied a state request to grant immunity to compel testimony from the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, who was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting. Gutierrez's appeal of her conviction is ongoing.

Witnesses expected to testify include the film's safety coordinator, David Halls, and "Rust" director Joel Souza, both of whom were involved in the incident. The trial may also feature testimony from a crew member who allegedly witnessed Baldwin pulling the trigger.

As proceedings unfold, the focus remains on clarifying Baldwin's role in the tragic event, balancing legal arguments concerning production oversight and individual accountability....Read More