A judge denied actor Alec Baldwin’s request to drop the manslaughter charge against him in the October 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halina Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust,” clearing the way for the trial to begin.
Baldwin’s lawyers said at a May 17 hearing that due process was not followed in their client’s impeachment, arguing that the prosecutor failed to inform jurors that they could cross-examine defense witnesses, leaving them deprived of important evidence.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer denied the request, so Alec Baldwin’s trial on the manslaughter charge is set to begin on July 10.
Halina Hutchins was shot to death after Baldwin pointed a gun at her on the set of the film “Rust” near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The 65-year-old actor has pleaded not guilty and insists he was assured the gun was loaded and that he did not pull the trigger.
Last month, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the gun handler on the film’s set, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for manslaughter after being found guilty of firing the live bullet from the fatal revolver.