The Alec Baldwin trial has started with jury selection today and will continue with the opening arguments tomorrow, July 10th. Baldwin already has a headstart as Judge Mary Marlowe Summe decided that Baldwin’s role as a producer of the Western film Rust is irrelevant to the trial. However, it doesn’t mean that he’s safe from being sentenced to jail time. Baldwin has remained a household name for nearly 35 years, however, all of that is in jeopardy due to the accidental shooting that took place on the set that lead to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza.
Jury Selection
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Due to technical issues, the jury selection for the Alec Baldwin trial began two hours later than scheduled. What is needed is a panel of 12 jurors and four alternates before opening statements on Wednesday. It is also an unheard-of experience that such a high-profile case is taking place in New Mexico, not in Los Angeles or New York, Baldwin’s hometown. The prosecution and defense teams thoroughly questioned the jurors to ensure that they had an unbiased pool of them. Eventually, they ended up with 11 women and five men. Jurors were instructed not to speak to the media and to report to the courthouse on time.
The Alec Baldwin Trial: Guilty or Not Guilty?
The question whose answer will shed light on whether Baldwin is guilty or not is the fact of whether he really pulled the trigger or the weapon malfunctioned. In a high-profile interview with ABC News, Baldwin said that he didn’t pull the trigger. The prosecutors, however, portrayed Baldwin as a reckless weapon handler and showed footage of him waving around weapons on set and saying in filings that he was not able to control his emotions. In addition, an FBI report concluded that the “trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer.”
The Murderous Anticipation
The prosecution is expected to argue in the Alec Baldwin trial that despite him being on set, he should have been following basic gun-handling skills and safety measures. That includes never pointing it at someone and ensuring that it is not loaded with live rounds. The defense, on the other hand, will have to go a long shot to prove Baldwin’s innocence. After their failed attempt to dismiss due to the weapon being destroyed, they will have to prove that Baldwin didn’t pull the trigger as he claims. They will also place the blame on the film’s armorer and safety coordinator, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and David Halls, as they are the ones responsible for props.
So far, Baldwin is not set to testify. However, that doesn’t mean that he won’t. One thing’s for sure, though, is that it’s logical for him not to testify as it gives the prosecution the opportunity to cross-examine him in the Alec Baldwin trial, which could backfire in the defense’s face. Whether he will be sentenced to jail time or not, his legal troubles are far from over. He faces several civil lawsuits, including one brought by Ms Hutchins’s family. Additionally, ever since the tragic incident, Baldwin has been struggling to find acting work. However, he announced in May that he and his family would star in a reality show next year (that is if he doesn’t face jail time).
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